Article

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy
of robot-assisted hand rehabilitation in improving arm function abilities in
sub-acute hemiplegic patients. DESIGN: Randomized controlled pilot study.
SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation centers. PARTICIPANTS:
Thirty hemiplegic stroke
patients (Ashworth spasticity index <3) were recruited and randomly divided into
a Treatment group (TG) and Control group (CG). INTERVENTIONS:
Patients in the TG
received intensive hand training with Gloreha, a hand rehabilitation glove that
provides computer-controlled, repetitive, passive mobilization of the fingers,
with multisensory feedback. Patients in the CG received the same amount of time
in terms of conventional hand rehabilitation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hand motor
function (Motricity Index, MI), fine manual dexterity (Nine Hole Peg Test, NHPT)
and strength (Grip and Pinch test) were measured at baseline and after
rehabilitation, and the differences, (Delta) mean(standard deviation), compared
between groups. Results Twenty-seven patients concluded the program: 14 in the TG
and 13 in the CG. None of the patients refused the device and only one adverse
event of rheumatoid arthritis reactivation was reported. Baseline data did not
differ significantly between the two groups. In TG, DeltaMI 23(16.4), DeltaNHPT
0.16(0.16), DeltaGRIP 0.27(0.23) and DeltaPINCH 0.07(0.07) were significantly
greater than in CG, DeltaMI 5.2(9.2), DeltaNHPT 0.02(0.07), DeltaGRIP 0.03(0.06)
and DeltaPINCH 0.02(0.03)]
( p=0.002, p=0.009, p=0.003 and p=0.038,
respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Gloreha Professional is feasible and effective in
recovering fine manual dexterity and strength and reducing arm disability in
sub-acute hemiplegic patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS