title: Effects of robot-guided passive stretching and active movement training of ankle and mobility impairments in stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of controlled passive stretching and active movement training using a portable rehabilitation robot on stroke survivors with ankle and mobility impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients at least 3 months post stroke were assigned to receive 6 week training using the portable robot in a research laboratory (robot group) or an instructed exercise program at home (control group). All patients underwent clinical and biomechanical evaluations in the laboratory at pre-evaluation, post-evaluation, and 6-week follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects in the robot group improved significantly more than that in the control group in reduction in spasticity measured by modified Ashworth scale, mobility by Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM), the balance by Berg balance score, dorsiflexion passive range of motion, dorsiflexion strength, and load bearing on the affected limb during gait after 6-week training. Both groups improved in the STREAM, dorsiflexion active range of motion and dorsiflexor strength after the training, which were retained in the follow-up evaluation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Robot-assisted passive stretching and active movement training is effective in improving motor function and mobility post stroke.
authors: Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, IL 60611, USA.
authors: Genna
authors: G
authors: Waldman
authors: Chung-Yong
authors: CY
authors: Yang
authors: Yupeng
authors: Y
authors: Ren
authors: Lin
authors: L
authors: Liu
authors: Xin
authors: X
authors: Guo
authors: Richard L
authors: RL
authors: Harvey
authors: Elliot J
authors: EJ
authors: Roth
authors: Li-Qun
authors: LQ
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000842:Ankle / Q000294:innervation*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015915:Motion Therapy, Continuous Passive / Q000379:methods*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012371:Robotics; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D055815:Young Adult