The General Use of Robots in Stroke Recovery

Pilot Study of the Effects of Protocol-Specific Robotic Arm Therapy in Stroke Recovery

The purpose of this study is to determine if tailoring multiple sessions of upper extremity robotic therapy to focus on a particular aspect of movement (e.g smoothness vs. aiming; active range of motion vs. functional practice)can optimize therapeutic results and lead to greater functional returns in arm mobility after stroke.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years of age or older
• First single focal unilateral lesion with diagnosis verified by brain imaging, which occurred at least 6 months prior
• Cognitive function sufficient enough to understand experiments and follow instructions
• Fugl Meyer assessment at admission of 7 to 38 out of 66 (neither hemiplegic nor fully recovered motor function in the muscles of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior experience with robotic arm therapy
• Fixed contraction of the affected limb
• Complete flaccid paralysis of the affected limb