Robot-assisted exercise for hand weakness after stroke: a pilot study.

Abstract

Upper-limb paresis is a major source of disability in stroke survivors, and robotic device-aided exercise therapy is a promising approach to enhance motor abilities. Few robotic devices have been available to provide therapy to the fingers and hand. This study was designed to test a new robotic device for hand rehabilitation in stroke survivors. This is an open-label pilot study of 12 individuals with chronic moderate hemiparesis after stroke. Participants underwent a 6-wk training program using a hand robotic device. Participants received a total of 18 hrs of robotic therapy. Improvements were found in multiple measures of motor performance, including the Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer test, the Motor Activity Log, the Manual Ability Measure-36, and the Jebsen Hand Function Test. All subjects tolerated the treatment well and no complications were observed. Robotic therapy for hand paresis after stroke is safe and feasible, and further studies of efficacy are justified by these preliminary results.