title: Predictors of motor, daily function, and quality-of-life improvements after upper-extremity robot-assisted rehabilitation in stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A subgroup of patients benefiting most from robot-assisted therapy (RT) has not yet been described. We examined the predictors of improved outcomes after RT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six patients with stroke receiving RT were analyzed. The outcome measures were the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Motor Activity Log (MAL), and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). The potential predictors were age, side of lesion, time since onset, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) scores, accelerometer data, Box and Block Test (BBT) scores, and kinematic parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BBT scores were predictive of FMA (29%) and MAL (9%-15%) improvements. Reduced shoulder flexion synergy, as measured by less shoulder abduction during forward reach, and MAS-distal were predictive of WMFT-function improvements. MAS-distal was predictive of SIS-physical improvements. Demographic variables did not predict outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Manual dexterity was a valuable predictor of motor impairment and daily function after RT. Outcomes at different levels may have different predictors.
authors.affiliation: Pai-Chuan Huang, ScD, OTR/L, is Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, and Healthy Aging Research Center at Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pai-Chuan
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Yu-Wei Hsieh, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, and Healthy Aging Research Center at Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Wei
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.affiliation: Chin-Man Wang, MD, is Attending Physician, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chin-Man
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Ching-Yi Wu, ScD, OTR/L, is Professor and Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, and Healthy Aging Research Center at Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ching-Yi
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Shu-Chun Huang, MD, is Attending Physician, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shu-Chun
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Keh-Chung Lin, ScD, OTR/L, is Professor, School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University and Division of Occupational Therapy, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, 17, F4, Xu Zhou Road, Taipei, Taiwan; kehchunglin@ntu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Keh-Chung
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012371:Robotics; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D034941:Upper Extremity