Feasibility of Robot-Assistance Hand Physiotherapy in Post-Stroke Patients.

Abstract

Background: Patients with experienced stroke have suffered from long-term disability, especially in their distal upper extremities. Physiotherapy programs are considered a proper treatment to overcome the complications caused by stroke. The use of robots in physiotherapy is also considered a newfound procedure as an alternative to conventional methods.

Objective: This study aimed to describe a feasibility test on a physiotherapy robot and evaluate the efficacy of the proposed device.

Material and methods: In this experimental study, a 4-degrees-of-freedom robot was designed and fabricated for hand physiotherapy, which was tested on 17 and 4 post-strokes in the passive and active modes for the best efficiency. Additionally, the patient's hand spasticity was measured according to the Modified Ashworth Scale pre- and post-usage of the device.

Results: A total of 12 of 17 individuals could do the exercises and follow the instructions without any problem, and 8 of 12 individuals had a decrease in their spasticity. All 4 patients in active-assisted mode could fulfill the activity.

Conclusion: Physiotherapy based on a robot-assisted is considered a promising method with effective treatments for post-stroke patients, which can be a good alternative to routine methods of physiotherapy. However, more tests are needed to determine the rate of functions' restoration.