Use the Back button in your browser to see the other results of your search or to select another record.

Detailed Search Results

Effects of a robot-assisted arm training plus hand functional electrical stimulation on recovery after stroke: a randomized clinical trial
Straudi S, Baroni A, Mele S, Craighero L, Manfredini F, Lamberti N, Maietti E, Basaglia N
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2020 Feb;101(2):309-316
clinical trial
6/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: Yes; Adequate follow-up: No; Intention-to-treat analysis: Yes; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of unilateral, proximal arm robot-assisted therapy combined with hand functional electrical stimulation with intensive conventional therapy for restoring arm function in survivors of subacute stroke. DESIGN: This was a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N = 40) diagnosed as having ischemic stroke (time since stroke < 8 wk) and upper limb impairment were enrolled. INTERVENTIONS: Participants randomized to the experimental group received 30 sessions (5 sessions/wk) of robot-assisted arm therapy and hand functional electrical stimulation (RAT plus FES). Participants randomized to the control group received a time-matched intensive conventional therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was arm motor recovery measured with the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment. Secondary outcomes included motor function, arm spasticity, and activities of daily living. Measurements were performed at baseline, after 3 weeks, at the end of treatment, and at 6-month follow-up. Presence of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) was also measured at baseline. RESULTS: Both groups significantly improved all outcome measures except for spasticity without differences between groups. Patients with moderate impairment and presence of MEPs who underwent early rehabilitation (< 30d post stroke) demonstrated the greatest clinical improvements. CONCLUSIONS: RAT plus FES was no more effective than intensive conventional arm training. However, at the same level of arm impairment and corticospinal tract integrity, it induced a higher level of arm recovery.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help