The Effect of an Upper Limb Rehabilitation Robot on Hemispatial Neglect in Stroke Patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effectiveness of an upper limb rehabilitation robot therapy on hemispatial neglect in stroke patients.


METHODS
Patients were randomly divided into an upper limb rehabilitation robot treatment group (robot group) and a control group. The patients in the robot group received left upper limb training using an upper limb rehabilitation robot. The patients sat on the right side of the robot, so that the monitor of the robot was located on the patients' left side. In this position, patients could focus continuously on the left side. The control group received conventional neglect treatment, such as visual scanning training and range of motion exercises, administered by occupational therapists. Both groups received their respective therapies for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks. Several tests were used to evaluate treatment effects before and after the 3-week treatment.


RESULTS
In total, 38 patients (20 in the robot group and 18 in the control group) completed the study. After completion of the treatment sessions, both groups showed significant improvements in the Motor-Free Visual Perception Test 3rd edition (MVPT-3), the line bisection test, the star cancellation test, the Albert's test, the Catherine Bergego scale, the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Korean version of Modified Barthel Index. The changes in all measurements showed no significant differences between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This present study showed that the upper limb robot treatment had benefits for hemispatial neglect in stroke patients that were similar to conventional neglect treatment. The upper limb robot treatment could be a therapeutic option in the treatment of hemispatial neglect after stroke.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dong-A University College of Medicine & Busan-Ulsan Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Busan, Korea.
Yoon Sik
0000-0003-2266-541X
YS
Choi
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dong-A University College of Medicine & Busan-Ulsan Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Busan, Korea.
Kyeong Woo
0000-0001-8785-5535
KW
Lee
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dong-A University College of Medicine & Busan-Ulsan Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Busan, Korea.
Jong Hwa
0000-0003-2489-358X
JH
Lee
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dong-A University College of Medicine & Busan-Ulsan Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Busan, Korea.
Sang Beom
0000-0002-5622-5933
SB
Kim
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dong-A University College of Medicine & Busan-Ulsan Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Busan, Korea.
Gyu Tae
0000-0002-7809-2561
GT
Park
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dong-A University College of Medicine & Busan-Ulsan Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Busan, Korea.
Sook Joung
0000-0002-6894-445X
SJ
Lee
Perceptual disorders; Robotics; Stroke; Upper extremity