title: The effect of arm support combined with rehabilitation games on upper-extremity function in subacute stroke: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Use of rehabilitation technology, such as (electro)mechanical devices or robotics, could partly relieve the increasing strain on stroke rehabilitation caused by an increasing prevalence of stroke. Arm support (AS) training showed improvement of unsupported arm function in chronic stroke.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of weight-supported arm training combined with computerized exercises on arm function and capacity, compared with dose-matched conventional reach training in subacute stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a single-blind, multicenter, randomized controlled trial, 70 subacute stroke patients received 6 weeks of training with either an AS device combined with computerized exercises or dose-matched conventional training (CON). Arm function was evaluated pretraining and posttraining by Fugl-Meyer assessment (FM), maximal reach distance, Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS), and arm pain via Visual Analogue Scale, in addition to perceived motivation by Intrinsic Motivation Inventory posttraining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FM and SULCS scores and reach distance improved significantly within both groups. These improvements and experienced pain did not differ between groups. The AS group reported higher interest/enjoyment during training than the CON group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AS training with computerized exercises is as effective as conventional therapy dedicated to the arm to improve arm function and activity in subacute stroke rehabilitation, when applied at the same dose.
authors.affiliation: Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, Netherlands University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands g.prange@rrd.nl.
authors.forename: Gerdienke B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Prange
authors.affiliation: Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, Netherlands University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anke I R
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Kottink
authors.affiliation: Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, Netherlands University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jaap H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Buurke
authors.affiliation: Rijndam Rehabilitation Center and Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martine M E M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Eckhardt
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Medical Center Groot Klimmendaal, Arnhem, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Bianca J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: van Keulen-Rouweler
authors.affiliation: Rijndam Rehabilitation Center and Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gerard M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Ribbers
authors.affiliation: Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, Netherlands University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Johan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rietman
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020300:Intracranial Hemorrhages / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018910:Video Games
keywords: arm support; computerized exercises; exercise therapy; recovery of function; serious games; stroke; upper extremity