Article

The effect of using robots to improve motor recovery has received
increased attention, even though the most effective protocol remains a topic of
study. OBJECTIVE: . The objective was to compare the training effects of
treatments on the wrist joint of subjects with chronic stroke with an interactive
rehabilitation robot and a robot with continuous passive motion. METHODS: . This
study was a single-blinded randomized controlled trial with a 3-month follow-up.
Twenty-seven hemiplegic subjects with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to
receive 20-session wrist training with a continuous electromyography (EMG)-driven
robot (interactive group, n = 15) and a passive motion device (passive group, n =
12), completed within 7 consecutive weeks. Training effects were evaluated with
clinical scores by pretraining and posttraining tests (Fugl-Meyer Assessment
[FMA] and Modified Ashworth Score [MAS]) and with session-by-session EMG
parameters (EMG activation level and co-contraction index). RESULTS: .
Significant improvements in FMA scores (shoulder/elbow and wrist/hand) were found
in the interactive group (P < .05). Significant decreases in the MAS were
observed in the wrist and elbow joints for the interactive group and in the wrist
joint for the passive group (P < .05). These MAS changes were associated with the
decrease in EMG activation level of the flexor carpi radialis and the biceps
brachii for the interactive group (P < .05). The muscle coordination on wrist and
elbow joints was improved in the interactive groups in the EMG co-contraction
indexes across the training sessions (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: . The interactive
treatment improved muscle coordination and reduced spasticity after the training
for both the wrist and elbow joints, which persisted for 3 months. The passive
mode training mainly reduced the spasticity in the wrist flexor.

Langue : ANGLAIS