title: Robot-assisted task-oriented upper extremity skill training in cervical spinal cord injury: a feasibility study.
abstract: METHODS
  Prospective multiple case study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To test (1) the feasibility of haptic robot technology (Haptic Master (HM)) use to improve arm-hand function (AHF) and arm-hand skill performance (AHSP) in persons with a cervical spinal cord injury (C-SCI), (2) inventory participants' motivation and expectation to work with the robot technology used and (3) to descriptively report the results in individual cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rehabilitation Centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five C-SCI patients were trained for 6 weeks, 3 days per week, 60 min per day. Therapists filled out the Usefulness, Satisfaction and Ease-of-use questionnaire (USE). The Intrinsic Motivational Inventory (IMI) and credibility and expectancy questionnaire (CEQ) were filled out by participants. Performance at activity level was gauged using the Van Lieshout test for AHF in Tetraplegia and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure. Function level was gauged using muscle strength testing and the International Classification for Surgery of the Hand in Tetraplegia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As to the feasibility of the application of haptic robot technology, the mean USE score was 65%. Mean IMI and CEQ results were 67% and 60%, respectively. Participants were motivated to train with the HM. All participants rated credibility higher than expectations regarding the improvement. In the current patients, little progress was demonstrated at the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health function and the activity level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is feasible to train C-SCI persons with the HM. Therapists report that working with the HM is easy to learn and easy to perform. Usability of the HM may be improved. Further research is needed to assess in which group of C-SCI and at which stage of rehabilitation HM training may be most beneficial.
authors: 1] Adelante Rehabilitation Centre, Hoensbroek, The Netherlands [2] Spinal Cord Injury Department, Adelante Centre of Expertise in Rehabilitation and Audiology, Hoensbroek, The Netherlands.
authors: D A M M
authors: DA
authors: Vanmulken
authors: Spinal Cord Injury Department, Adelante Centre of Expertise in Rehabilitation and Audiology, Hoensbroek, The Netherlands.
authors: A I F
authors: AI
authors: Spooren
authors: Adelante Rehabilitation Centre, Hoensbroek, The Netherlands.
authors: H M H
authors: HM
authors: Bongers
authors: 1] Spinal Cord Injury Department, Adelante Centre of Expertise in Rehabilitation and Audiology, Hoensbroek, The Netherlands [2] Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Research School CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: H A M
authors: HA
authors: Seelen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D066193:Cervical Cord / Q000293:injuries*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012371:Robotics; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
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