Effects of Robotic Neurorehabilitation Plus Virtual Reality on Attention Process and Executive Functions in Patients With Chronic Stroke: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of Robotic Neurorehabilitation Plus Virtual Reality on Attention Process and Executive Functions in Patients With Chronic Stroke: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Stroke can be classified as ischemic, i.e. due to the lack of blood flow, and haemorrhagic, caused by bleeding. Stroke results in focal signs and symptoms, with a devastating impact on a patient and his family. Although robotic rehabilitation is very useful in improving motor function, there is no a clear evidence on its role in improving cognitive abilities, which are often compromised in stroke patients.
To this end, the investigators designed a randomized controlled experimental study on stroke patients, with the aim of evaluating the effects of robotic neurorehabilitation using Lokomat with and without virtual reality on cognitive functioning in stroke patients, compared to traditional therapy.
Inclusion Criteria:
Neurological diagnosis of stroke in the post-acute phase (3 months from the acute event); age between 40 and 80; and Caucasian ethnicity; a FIM motor score equal to or greater than 30 and moderate to mild cognitive impairment (MoCA> 18); Fugl-Meyer scale score of> 18;
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients with a history of concomitant neurodegenerative diseases or brain surgery; severe cognitive or language impairment; systemic, bone or joint disorders; presence of disabling sensory alterations; concomitant medical and psychiatric illness that could interfere with VR training.