Robotic-Assisted Training on Hand Function in Stroke

Robotic-Assisted Training on Hand Function in Stroke Patient

Stroke is a neurological deficit attributed to an acute focal injury of the central nervous system. A key component of stroke rehabilitation is improving upper limb function to reduce impairments and disabilities. A task-specific approach retraining for upper extremity control seeks to minimize impairments while maximizing the patient's functional performance. Technology-supported training is emerging to help therapists, patients, and the health system. Robotic devices allow to facilitate and control the complexity of a motor task. The benefits of robotic rehabilitation affect both therapists and patients: robot-assisted therapy can increase treatment compliance by way of introducing games or interactive upper limb tasks and patients can train independently with less supervision from therapists. Therefore, this study was conducted in line to determine the effect of robotic-assisted training on hand function in patients following a stroke.

Stroke is the leading cause of complex adult disability with arm function impairment affecting approximately 69% of stroke survivors. Enhancing arm function is a priority for stroke survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, as current rehabilitation approaches often neglect arm recovery. In Motion robotic gym system represents an effective treatment option for improving upper limb function in patients' post-stroke, owing to its ease of application, cost-effectiveness, and tolerability. Rehabilitation robotics is an emerging research domain aimed at leveraging cutting-edge robotic technology and virtual reality systems for the rehabilitation of neurological patients. While clinical trials in post-stroke patients with upper limb impairments have yielded positive results regarding motor recovery, they have shown limited efficacy concerning functional outcomes. Thus, there remains a pressing need to develop a new generation of rehabilitation robots and clinical protocols that can more effectively assist patients in regaining their abilities in activities of daily living. Therefore, this study was conducted in line to determine the effect of robotic-assisted training 'course of 12 weeks' on hand function 'assessing strength, via dynamometer, function via Fugle-Meyer test, and overall function via Jobson hand function' in patients following a stroke.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ranged from 40 to 60 years old.
• Clinical diagnosis of ischemic stroke and diagnosis confirmed by CT or MRI with hand impairments.
• Stroke started since six months (at chronic stage)
• Mild to moderate upper limb functional limitation according to (Fugl-Meyer score: 85-99).
• Ability to understand and follow instructions and to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• More than one stroke.
• Other current significant impairment of the upper limb affected by stroke, e.g. fixed contracture, frozen shoulder, severe arthritis, recent fracture.
• Diagnosis likely to interfere with rehabilitation or outcome assessments, e.g. registered blind.
• Previous use of the InMotion robotic gym system or other arm rehabilitation robot.
• Current participation in a rehabilitation trial evaluating upper limb rehabilitation after stroke