Does frequent use of an exoskeletal upper limb robot improve motor function in stroke patients?

CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of HAL-SJ use may affect the improvement of motor function and ADL ability of the upper limb with exception of the fingers and wrist. However, the frequency of intervention was not effective enough to further increase the number of subjects with clinically meaningful changes in upper limb motor function.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe current study aimed to clarify how differences in the frequency of single-joint hybrid assistive limb (HAL-SJ) use can affect the improvement of upper-limb motor functions and ADL in subacute stroke patients.Our results implied that the frequency of HAL-SJ use may influence the recovery of upper limb function.However, even if HAL-SJ is used frequently, it does not mean that more patients will achieve clinically meaningful recovery.PMID:35332828 | DOI:10.1080/09638288.2022.2055163

Source: Disability and Rehabilitation - March 25, 2022 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Yuji Iwamoto Ryo Tanaka Takeshi Imura Tsubasa Mitsutake Hungu Jung Takahiro Suzukawa Shingo Taki Naoki Imada Tetsuji Inagawa Hayato Araki Osamu Araki Source Type: research