title: Efficacy of robot-assisted rehabilitation for the functional recovery of the upper limb in post-stroke patients: a randomized controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A prompt and effective physical and rehabilitation medicine approach is essential to obtain recovery of an impaired limb to prevent tendon shortening, spasticity and pain. Robot-assisted virtual reality intervention has been shown to be more effective than conventional interventions and achieved greater improvement in upper limb function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of robotic-assisted motion and activity in addition to PRM for the rehabilitation of the upper limb in post-stroke inpatients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Departments of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine from three different hospitals (Sarnico, Brescia; Bergamo; Milan).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 54 patients and enrolled 23 men and 31 women with post-stroke hemiparesis, aged 18 to 80 years old, enrolled from July 2014 to February 2015.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of the 54 enrolled patients, 57% were female (mean age 71±12 years), and all had upper limb function deficit post-stroke. The experimental group received a passive mobilization of the upper limb through the robotic device ARMEO Spring and the control group received PRM for 6 consecutive weeks (5 days/week) in addition to traditional PRM. We assessed the impact on functional recovery (Functional Independence Measure [FIM] scale), strength (Motricity Index [MI]), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale [MAS]) and pain (Numeric Rating Pain Scale [NRPS]). All patients were evaluated by a blinded observer using the outcomes tests at enrollment (T0), after the treatment (T1) and at follow up 6 weeks later (T2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both control and experimental groups evidenced an improvement of the outcomes after the treatment (MI, Ashworth and NRPS with P<0.05). The experimental group showed further improvements after the follow up (all outcomes with P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the treatment of pain, disability and spasticity in upper limb after stroke, robot-assisted mobilization associated to PRM is as effective as traditional rehabilitation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Robot-assisted treatment has an impact on upper limb motor function in stroke patients.
authors.affiliation: Habilita, Sarnico Hospital, Sarnico, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Taveggia
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy - alberto.borboni@ing.unibs.it.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borboni
authors.affiliation: Habilita, Sarnico Hospital, Sarnico, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salvi
authors.affiliation: Habilita, Sarnico Hospital, Sarnico, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mulé
authors.affiliation: Habilita, Sarnico Hospital, Sarnico, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fogliaresi
authors.affiliation: I.R.C.C.S. Don Gnocchi Foundation and Institute for Scientific Research, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Jorge H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Villafañe
authors.affiliation: Habilita, Sarnico Hospital, Sarnico, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casale
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010291:Paresis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*