The effectiveness of robotic rehabilitation for the functional recovery of the upper limb in post-stroke patients: a systematic review

Abstract

Stroke is a significant contributor to global mortality and disability, and it is typically classified as a neurological disorder. A key component of stroke rehabilitation is improving upper limb function to reduce impairments and disabilities and their impact on activities of daily living. In the last few years, robot-assisted therapy (RT) arises as a novel and expanding approach in poststroke rehabilitation, which utilizes robotic devices to facilitate the recovery of motor function and task-oriented training. The aim of this systematic review, conducted through MEDLINE, CINAHL and EMBASE consultation, was to investigate the association between functional outcomes of the upper limb in patients with stroke after-effects and the use of robotic rehabilitation.The results of the included studies have highlighted the impact of robot-assisted rehabilitation, whether integrated with traditional physiotherapy, on several clinical outcomes such as pain, spasticity, motor function, hand and finger function and cognitive abilities. The introduction of the robot-assisted intervention, coupled with traditional treatment, maybe a valuable approach to improving quality of life and enhance not only motor function but also the cognitive ability of stroke patients, especially whether focusing on the early phase of stroke recovery with a high potential impact on clinical practice. Keywords: Stroke; Upper limb; Robotic rehabilitation; Neurological disorders; robot-assisted therapy;