Effect of task-oriented training assisted by force feedback hand rehabilitation robot on finger grasping function in stroke patients with hemiplegia: a randomised controlled trial.

Over 80% of patients with stroke experience finger grasping dysfunction, affecting independence in activities of daily living and quality of life. In routine training, task-oriented training is usually used for functional hand training, which may improve finger grasping performance after stroke, while augmented therapy may lead to a better treatment outcome. As a new technology-supported training, the hand rehabilitation robot provides opportunities to improve the therapeutic effect by increasing the training intensity. However, most hand rehabilitation robots commonly applied in clinics are based on a passive training mode and lack the sensory feedback function of fingers, which is not conducive to patients completing more accurate grasping movements. A force feedback hand rehabilitation robot can compensate for these defects. However, its clinical efficacy in patients with stroke remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and added value of a force feedback hand rehabilitation robot combined with task-oriented training in stroke patients with hemiplegia. In this single-blinded randomised controlled trial, 44 stroke patients with hemiplegia were randomly divided into experimental (n = 22) and control (n = 22) groups. Both groups received 40 min/day of conventional upper limb rehabilitation training. The experimental group received 20 min/day of task-oriented training assisted by a force feedback rehabilitation robot, and the control group received 20 min/day of task-oriented training assisted by therapists. Training was provided for 4 weeks, 5 times/week. The Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment of the hand part (FMA-Hand), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), grip strength, Modified Ashworth scale (MAS), range of motion (ROM), Brunnstrom recovery stages of the hand (BRS-H), and Barthel index (BI) were used to evaluate the effect of two groups before and after treatment. Intra-group comparison: In both groups, the FMA-Hand, ARAT, grip strength, AROM, BRS-H, and BI scores after 4 weeks of treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment (p < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in finger flexor MAS scores before and after treatment (p > 0.05). Inter-group comparison: After 4 weeks of treatment, the experimental group's FMA-Hand total score, ARAT, grip strength, and AROM were significantly better than those of the control group (p < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the scores of each sub-item of the FMA-Hand after Bonferroni correction (p > 0.007). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in MAS, BRS-H, and BI scores (p > 0.05). Hand performance improved in patients with stroke after 4 weeks of task-oriented training. The use of a force feedback hand rehabilitation robot to support task-oriented training showed additional value over conventional task-oriented training in stroke patients with hand dysfunction. NCT05841108.

Li Y ，Lian Y ，Chen X ，Zhang H ，Xu G ，Duan H ，Xie X ，Li Z ... -  《Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation》

Task-Oriented Training by a Personalized Electromyography-Driven Soft Robotic Hand in Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Shi XQ ，Ti CE ，Lu HY ，Hu CP ，Xie DS ，Yuan K ，Heung HL ，Leung TW ，Li Z ，Tong RK ... -  《-》

Robot-assisted training compared with an enhanced upper limb therapy programme and with usual care for upper limb functional limitation after stroke: the RATULS three-group RCT.

Rodgers H ，Bosomworth H ，Krebs HI ，van Wijck F ，Howel D ，Wilson N ，Finch T ，Alvarado N ，Ternent L ，Fernandez-Garcia C ，Aird L ，Andole S ，Cohen DL ，Dawson J ，Ford GA ，Francis R ，Hogg S ，Hughes N ，Price CI ，Turner DL ，Vale L ，Wilkes S ，Shaw L ... -  《-》

Effects of task-oriented robot training on arm function, activity, and quality of life in chronic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Timmermans AA ，Lemmens RJ ，Monfrance M ，Geers RP ，Bakx W ，Smeets RJ ，Seelen HA ... -  《Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation》

Effects of robot-assisted upper limb training combined with functional electrical stimulation in stroke patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

About 17-80% stroke survivors experience the deficit of upper limb function, which strongly influences their independence and quality of life. Robot-assisted training and functional electrical stimulation are commonly used interventions in the rehabilitation of hemiplegia upper extremities, while the effect of their combination remains unclear. The aim of this trial is to explore the effect of robot-assisted upper limb training combined with functional electrical stimulation, in terms of neuromuscular rehabilitation, compared with robot-assisted upper limb training alone. Individuals (n = 60) with the first onset of stroke (more than 1 week and less than 1 year after stroke onset) will be considered in the recruitment of this single-blinded, three-arm randomized controlled trial. Participants will be allocated into three groups (robot-assisted training combined with functional electrical stimulation group, robot-assisted training group, and conventional rehabilitation therapies group) with a ratio of 1:1:1. All interventions will be executed for 45 min per session, one session per day, 5 sessions per week for 6 weeks. The neuromuscular function of the upper limb (Fugl-Meyer Assessment of upper extremity), ability of daily life (modified Barthel Index), pain (visual analogue scale), and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) will be assessed at the baseline, at the end of this trial and after 3 months follow-up. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance will be used to compare the outcomes if the data are normally distributed. Simple effects tests will be used for the further exploration of interaction effects by time and group. Scheirer-Ray-Hare test will be used if the data are not satisfied with normal distribution. We expect this three-arm randomized controlled trial to explore the effectiveness of robot-assisted training combined with functional electrical stimulation in improving post-stroke upper limb function compared with robot-assisted training alone. Effect of upper limb robot on improving upper limb function after stroke, identifier: ChiCTR2300073279. Registered on 5 July 2023.

Yang X ，Fengyi W ，Yi C ，Lin Q ，Yang L ，Xize L ，Shaxin L ，Yonghong Y ... -  《Trials》