PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the extent to which accelerometers can be used to determine the effect of robotsupported task-oriented arm-hand training, relative to task-oriented arm-hand training alone, on the actual amount of armhand use of chronic stroke patients in their home situation. METHODS: This single-blind randomized controlled trial included 16 chronic stroke patients, randomly allocated using blocked randomization (n = 2) to receive task-oriented robot-supported arm-hand training or task-oriented (unsupported) arm-hand training. Training lasted 8 weeks, 4 times/week, 2x30 min/day using the (T-)TOAT ((technology-supported)-task-oriented-arm-training) method. The actual amount of arm-hand use, was assessed at baseline, after 8 weeks training and 6 months after training cessation. Duration of use and intensity of use of the affected arm-hand during unimanual and bimanual activities were calculated. RESULTS: Duration and intensity of use of the affected arm-hand did not change significantly during and after training, with or without robot-support (ie, duration of use of unimanual use of the affected arm-hand: median difference of -0.17% in the robot-group and -0.08% in the control group between baseline and after training cessation; intensity of the affected arm-hand: median difference of 3.95% in the robot-group and 3.32% in the control group between baseline and after training cessation). No significant between-group differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: Accelerometer data did not show significant changes in actual amount of arm-hand use after task-oriented training, with or without robot-support. Next to the amount of use, discrimination between activities performed and information about quality of use of the affected arm-hand are essential to determine actual arm-hand performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Controlled-trials.com ISRCTN82787126.

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