Arm studio to intensify the upper limb rehabilitation after stroke: concept, acceptance, utilization and preliminary clinical results.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the acceptance, utilization and clinical results of an arm studio designed to intensify treatment of the severely to moderately affected arm after stroke. In line with a distal bilateral approach, the equipment comprised 4 workstations, 1 finger trainer, and 3 machines for bilateral training of selected distal and proximal movements.


METHODS
Open study.


METHODS
Of 119 treated patients after subacute stroke, 30 completed a questionnaire and 24 were assessed.


METHODS
All patients completed 15 sessions, each of 30-45 min duration, on each of 2 workstations. Based on the patients' impairment level they were divided into 3 groups, as follows: group A, plegic; group B, proximal and distal movements but hand non-functional; and group C, able to grasp and release an object. Motor functions were assessed with the Fugl-Meyer Score (FM, 0-66) for groups A (n = 6) and B (n = 6), and the Action Arm Research Test (ARAT, 0-57) for group C (n = 12).


RESULTS
No side-effects occurred. The patients regarded the training positively. The initial FM was 8.5 (standard deviation (SD) 3.3) and final FM 21.2 (SD 4.4) for group A, initial FM 25.3 (SD 6.9) and final FM 44.3 (SD 9.1) for group B, and initial ARAT 33.3 (SD 11.2) and final ARAT 43.5 (SD 10.7) for group C.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of the arm studio to intensify upper limb rehabilitation after stroke is promising, and a controlled study is warranted.
Buschfort
R
R
Klinik am Stein, Zentrum für NeuroGeriatrie und Rehabilitationsmedizin, Olsberg, Germany.
Brocke
J
J
Hess
A
A
Werner
C
C
Waldner
A
A
Hesse
Stefan
S
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*