Article

OBJECTIVE: To verify the possibility of administering robot-aided therapy for the
upper limbs in patients after stroke; to evaluate patients' degree of acceptance
and compliance with the treatment; to establish if the treatment has an effect on
motor impairment and functional outcome. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental, uncontrolled
study. SUBJECTS: Fourteen patients with chronic hemiparesis after stroke.
METHODS: Patients were treated with a robotic system for the upper limbs (ReoGo;
Motorika Medical Ltd, Israel). Subjects performed the following assessment, at
the start (T0), at the end of treatment (T1), and at the follow-up performed one
month after the end of treatment (T2): Fugl-Meyer test (FM) for upper limbs;
strength evaluation; Ashworth scale; visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain;
Frenchay Arm test (FAT); Box and Block test (B & B); Functional Independence
Measure (FIM); ABILHAND Questionnaire; Timed Up and Go test (TUG); Euro-Quality
of Life questionnaire and; a VAS for treatment satisfaction were administered to
the subjects. RESULTS: Total scores of FM, B&B, FAT and FIM showed a
statistically significant improvement from T0 and T1 (FM p < 0.002, B&B p <
0.012, FAT p < 0.023, FIM p < 0.007) and from T0 and T2 (FM p < 0.003, B&B p <
0.011, FAT p < 0.024, FIM p < 0.027). No statistically significant differences
were found between evaluations at T1 and T2 (FM p < 0.595, B&B p < 0.491, FAT p <
0.317, FIM p < 0.180). CONCLUSION: The sample was capable of completing the
treatment and demonstrated good participant satisfaction. This pilot study led to
the finding of a clinical improvement and excellent patient compliance. It can be
hypothesized that the results are robot-dependent and that they were learned and
then maintained. However, the study is limited in that a control group was not
used. As such, it is desirable to continue this study with a control group, as
well as by designing a prospective longitudinal randomized controlled trial
study.

Langue : ANGLAIS