Effects of Robot-Assisted Combined Therapy in Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients

Summary

The main purpose of this study is to examine the treatment effects and the combined-therapy of the robot-assisted therapy (RAT) by using two groups of combined-therapy with different sensory feedback and one group of unilateral RAT in the investigators trial to compare the relative treatment effects to mirror therapy group, bilateral RAT, and conventional rehabilitation (CR) considering motor ability, basic daily functions, mobility, quality of life, and kinematic variables.

Conditions

• Cerebrovascular Accident

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

RAT-NMES

This combined RAT- treatment involves the same protocol as the RAT regimen except that patients receive neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) concurrently with RAT.

BEHAVIORAL

RAT-MT

This combined RAT- treatment involves the same protocol as the RAT regimen except that patients receive mirror therapy instead of functional activities training after RAT.

BEHAVIORAL

Mirror therapy

This protocol includes mirror therapy and functional training in a session. The treatment intensity is 1.5 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks. MT focuses on symmetrical bimanual movements and simultaneously observing the mirror visual feedback reflected by the unaffected upper extremity.

BEHAVIORAL

Unilateral RAT

This protocol includes warm-up, unilateral RAT, and functional activities training. The treatment intensity is 1.5 hours/day, 5days/week for 4 consecutive weeks. The unilateral RAT session uses the robot-assisted arm trainer, InMotion Isokinetic Testing and Evaluation System.

BEHAVIORAL

Bilateral RAT

This protocol includes warm-up, bilateral RAT, and functional activities training. The treatment intensity is 1.5 hours/day, 5days/week for 4 consecutive weeks. The unilateral RAT session uses the robot-assisted arm trainer, Bi-Manu-Track (Reha-Stim Co., Berlin, Germany).

BEHAVIORAL

Conventional rehabilitation

Participants in this group receive a structured protocol based on occupational therapy such as neuro-developmental techniques and task-oriented approach. The treatment dose is matched to RAT and MT groups.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Taiwan University

  collaborator OTHER

• Chang Gung University

  collaborator OTHER

• Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• Cheng-Hsin General Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• Lo-Sheng Sanatorium

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Cathay General Hospital

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Keh-Chung Lin, Dr. · National Taiwan University

• Chia-Yi Lee, MD · Cathay General Hospital

• Ming-wei Lee · Cathay General Hospital

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2014-08-31

Primary Completion

2018-08-31

Completion

2018-12-31

Countries

• Taiwan

Study Locations