Effects Of Hand Robot-assisted Intensive Training On Hemiplegic Stroke Patients’ Recovery Of Upper-limb Function:a Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective:Motor dysfunction of upper limbs is one of the common complications of stroke,this lack of functional recovery restricts patients’ activities of daily living.Through the analysis of the motor function indexes before and after hand robot-assisted intensive training,the purpose of this trial is to explore the effects of intensive upper limb therapy assisted by a hand robot on motor function after stroke,and provides a new treatment method for patients with hemiplegia after stroke.Methods : Thirty-two hemiplegic stroke survivors were randomly divided into a conventional rehabilitation group(group A,n=10),a robot-assisted therapy group(group B,n=10),and a robot-assisted intensive therapy group(group C,n= 12).The patients in group A received routine drug therapy and daily 40 min session of conventional rehabilitation training per day,5 days a week for 4 weeks.Patients in group B received 20 min session of conventional rehabilitation training plus 20 min robot-assisted therapy(passive mode 10min+active-assisted mode 10min)per day,5 days a week for 4weeks.Patients in group C received 20 min session of conventional rehabilitation training plus 40 min robot-assisted therapy(passive mode 20min+active-assisted mode 20min)per day,5 days a week for 4 weeks.Before and after the intervention,the 3 groups were assessed using Fugl-Meyer assessment for the upper extremities(FMA-UE),the action research arm text(ARAT)and the modified Barthel Index(MBI).Results:In each group,the FMA,MBI and ARAT scores increased significantly after four weeks of treatment(P < 0.05).After four weeks of treatment,the FMA and ARAT scores improvements were more significant in the group B than in the group A(P < 0.05),Although MBI scores in the group A and the group B were improved after 4 weeks training,there were no differences were found between group A and group B regarding MBI scores(P > 0.05).Whilst the the FMA,MBI and ARAT scores suggested a greater improvement in the group C compared with the group B and succeeded to reach significance(P < 0.05).Conclusion:Robot assistance can help to improve upper extremity motor function and activities of daily living after a stroke.The intensive robot assisting training had got better outcomes.