Upper-extremity robot-aided rehabilitation after stroke: A comparison of the arm and wrist robots

Of course your stroke hospital is already comparing these robots and has already selected the best. ROFLMAO.
http://www.jns-journal.com/article/S0022-510X(17)32185-8/fulltext

Y.W. HsiehCorrespondence information about the author Y.W. Hsieh

,

T.Y. Shih

,

K.C. Lin

,

C.Y. Wu

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2017.08.1688

• Abstract

• Full Text

Background: The use of robot-assisted therapy (RT) in stroke rehabilitation is prominently effective, but very limited studies have directly compared the effects of different robotic rehabilitation devices.

Objective: This study examined the efficacy of proximal RT by using the InMotion ARM^TM interactive therapy system (Proximal-IMT) versus distal RT by using the InMotion WRIST^TM interactive therapy system (Distal-IMT) on motor function, muscle strength, and real-life daily activities in stroke patients.

Patients and Methods/Material and Methods: A cluster-controlled trial was conducted and a total of 40 patients with stroke were enrolled. Participants received 1 of the Proximal-IMT, Distal-IMT, or control treatment (CT) for 20 training sessions. Outcome measures were the upper-extremity subscale of Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE), Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale, Motor Activity Log (MAL), and wrist-worn activity monitors (ie, accelerometers).

Results: There were statistically significant differences on the distal FMA-UE, total MRC, distal MRC, and MAL quality of movement scores among the 3 groups (P = 0.02 to 0.05). Post hoc comparisons revealed that the Distal-IMT group improved more than the Proximal-IMT and CT groups in distal upper-limb motor function, muscle strength, and quality of movement while using the affected arm in daily tasks.

Conclusion: We found that distal robot-aided rehabilitation using the InMotion WRIST system had superior effects on distal upper-limb motor function, muscle strength, and perceived use of the affected arm during daily tasks. Further large-scale study is suggested to confirm the long-term treatment effects of arm and wrist robots.