JNER: Effects of robotic assistance levels on upper extremity function in stroke patients undergoing assisted robotic rehabilitation, an analysis of a randomized clinical trial

Upper extremity hemiplegia (UE) is one of the most common conditions among hospitalized stroke survivors, affecting two-thirds of the population
.

Hemiplegia in UE can lead to impaired arm and hand function, which can negatively impact the daily activities of stroke survivors

Stroke Guidelines

It is unclear whether positive rehabilitation outcomes correlate with the level of robotic assistance provided to stroke survivors to complete UE voluntary exercise training
.

Therefore, the aim of this exploratory study was to examine trends in the effects of robotic assistance levels in order to generate data for future prospective controlled trials

The aim of this exploratory study was to examine trends in the impact of robotic assistance levels in order to generate data for future prospective controlled trials

We analyzed data from 30 subacute stroke survivors with mild to severe UE hemiplegia who had been randomized to robotic therapy (using the ReoGo system) in a previous randomized clinical trial
.

Cluster analysis was performed according to training results (percentage of five robotic-assisted modalities used during training for each stroke patient)

We analyzed data from 30 subacute stroke survivors with mild to severe UE hemiplegia who had been randomized to robotic therapy (using the ReoGo system) in a previous randomized clinical trial

Robot-Assisted Self-Training Using the ReoGo Upper Limb Rehabilitation Device

Robot-Assisted Self-Training Using the ReoGo Upper Limb Rehabilitation Device

Functional improvement in affected UE in two groups of stroke survivors: one with severe to moderate UE hemiplegia; the other with moderate to mild hemiplegia
.

Results were analyzed for both groups (the intervention group received "considerable" robotic assistance and the control group received "minimal" robotic assistance)

Functional improvement in affected UE in two groups of stroke survivors: one with severe to moderate UE hemiplegia; the other with moderate to mild hemiplegia

Dendrogram of two different clusters

Dendrogram of two different clusters

Based on the current and previous findings, the necessary methods to implement robotic assistance should be encouraged, given the level of voluntary movement that can be performed by stroke survivors with UE paraplegia during robotic therapy
.

However, few studies have investigated the effect of different levels of robotic assistance on functional recovery in UE

Based on the current and previous findings, the necessary methods to implement robotic assistance should be encouraged, given the level of voluntary movement that can be performed by stroke survivors with UE paraplegia during robotic therapy

Future randomized controlled trials using state-of-the-art robotic equipment and evaluating larger sample sizes are needed to investigate how the level and method of robotic assistance affects improvements in UE function

Takebayashi, T.
, Takahashi, K.
, Okita, Y.
et al.
Impact of the robotic-assistance level on upper extremity function in stroke patients receiving adjunct robotic rehabilitation: sub-analysis of a randomized clinical trial.
J NeuroEngineering Rehabil 19,25 (2022).
https://doi.
org/10.
1186/s12984-022-00986-9Takebayashi, T.
, Takahashi, K.
, Okita, Y.
  et al.
Impact of the robotic-assistance level on upper extremity function in stroke patients receiving adjunct robotic rehabilitation: sub-analysis of a randomized clinical trial.
Impact of the robotic-assistance level on upper extremity function in stroke patients receiving adjunct robotic rehabilitation: sub-analysis of a randomized clinical trial.
  J NeuroEngineering Rehabil 19,  25 (2022).
https://doi.
org/10.
1186/s12984-022-00986-9 Leave a comment here