Background: The study aims to determine the effectiveness of robot-assisted training in the recovery of stroke-affected arms using an exoskeleton robot Armeo Spring.
Objective: To identify the effect of robot training on functional recovery of the arm.
Methods: A total of 34 stroke patients were divided into either an experimental group (EG; n= 17) or a control group (n= 17). EG was also trained to use the Armeo Spring during occupational therapy. Both groups were clinically assessed before and after treatment. Statistical comparison methods (i.e. one-tailed t-tests for differences between two independent means and the simplest test) were conducted to compare motor recovery using robot-assisted training or conventional therapy.
Results: Patients assigned to the EG showed a statistically significant improvement in upper extremity motor function when compared to the CG by FIM (P< 0.05) and ACER (P< 0.05). The calculated treatment effect in the EG and CG was meaningful for shoulder and elbow kinematic parameters.
Conclusions: The findings show the benefits of robot therapy in two areas of functional recovery. Task-oriented robotic training in rehabilitation setting facilitates recovery not only of the motor function of the paretic arm but also of the cognitive abilities in stroke patients.
Keywords: Stroke; functional recovery; rehabilitation; robot therapy; upper limbs.