Abstract
Background: Stroke survivors can remain impaired in body functions, activity, and participation. A novel rehabilitation regimen is required to obtain scientific evidence and to help clinicians determine effective interventions for stroke. Mirror therapy (MT) and bilateral upper limb training (BULT) are based on the tenet of bilateral movement practice; however, the additional effect of bilateral robotic priming combined with these two therapies is unclear.Objectives: This study examined the effects of two hybrid therapies, robotic priming combined with MT and robotic priming combined with BULT, in stroke survivors.Methodology: The study randomized 31 participants to groups that received robotic priming combined with MT (n = 15) or robotic priming combined with BULT (n = 16). Outcome measures included the Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA), the revised Nottingham Sensory Assessment (rNSA), the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI), and accelerometer data.Results: Both groups showed statistically significant within-group improvements in most outcome measures. Significant between-group differences and medium-to-large effect sizes were found in favor of the group that received robotic priming combined with MT based on the FMA distal part subscale scores, FMA total scores, and accelerometer data.Conclusion: Robotic priming combined with MT may have beneficial effects for patients in the improvements of overall and distal arm motor impairment as well as affected arm use in real life. Additional follow-up, a larger sample size, and consideration of the effect of lesion location or different levels of cognitive impairment are warranted to validate our findings in future studies.Clinical trial registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03773653.
Highlights
Rehabilitation of stroke patients is a long process that takes several months or even years
This study examined the effects of two hybrid therapies, robotic priming combined with Mirror therapy (MT) and robotic priming combined with bilateral upper limb training (BULT), in stroke survivors
The study randomized 31 participants to groups that received robotic priming combined with MT (n = 15) or robotic priming combined with BULT (n = 16)
Summary
Rehabilitation of stroke patients is a long process that takes several months or even years. Rehabilitation methods are needed to allow individuals to continue to maximize gains in arm impairment and function more than 3 months after stroke. An implicit learning technique, can be used to prepare the brain for a more plastic response before task-based rehabilitative therapy, thereby leading to improved functional outcomes [2]. An extended application of robotic therapy involving bimanual, repetitive, mirror-symmetric movement practice, is a type of movementbased priming with a low-tech robot device [3]. It can normalize cortical inhibition, prepare the brain for subsequent rehabilitative therapies, and facilitate recovery through a taskoriented approach [2, 4, 5]. Mirror therapy (MT) and bilateral upper limb training (BULT) are based on the tenet of bilateral movement practice; the additional effect of bilateral robotic priming combined with these two therapies is unclear
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
