Impact of upper extremity robotic rehabilitation on respiratory parameters, functional capacity and dyspnea in patients with stroke: a randomized controlled study.

Background: Stroke leads to reduced mobility and functional capacity, also negatively affects respiratory functions and muscle strength.

Aim: To examine the effects of adding upper extremity robotic rehabilitation to conventional treatment on respiratory parameters, functional capacity, mobility, and dyspnea.

Method: Thirty-four stroke patients aged 18-65/years were randomized into Conventional Rehabilitation (CR) or Upper Extremity Robotic Rehabilitation (RR) groups. Both groups received conventional treatment for 5 days/week, for 6 weeks. Additionally, the RR group participated in upper extremity robotic rehabilitation (ExoRehab X, Houston Bionics) twice/week. Respiratory muscle strength (Maximum Inspiratory Pressure-MIP and Maximum Expiratory Pressure-MEP) and respiratory functions (forced expiratory flow first second (FEV1)), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory flow-25-75% (FEF 25-75%) were assessed. Functional capacity was evaluated with 6-minute walk test (6-MWT), mobility was assessed with Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and dyspnea was measured using Dyspnea-12 test.

Results: Both groups showed improvements in MIP, MEP, 6MWT and TUG scores. Additionally, significant increases were observed in PEF in the CR group and in FVC, FEV1, %FEF 25-75, and reduced dyspnea in the RR group (all p < 0.05). The groups were similar in terms of mean changes, except for FVC (p = 0.004) and FEV1 (p = 0.002), which were significantly higher in RR group.

Conclusion: Combining upper extremity robotic rehabilitation with conventional rehabilitation in stroke patients led to similar improvements in respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, and mobility while also improving some respiratory parameters and reducing the perception of dyspnea.

Trial registration number: NCT05550311.