Effects of Circuit Training Combining Different Types of Distal Robot-assisted and Task-oriented Therapy on Motor Control, Motor and Daily Functions, and Quality of Life After Stroke

Summary

This study proposes a novel stroke rehabilitation approach for upper extremity training by firstly combining different types of distal robot-assisted and task-oriented therapy in a circuit training program. The program could enhance UE functions, improving daily function, decrease caregiver burden and lower medical expenses associated with long-term care. Professionals can use these findings to promote the application of clinically empirical research and better understand the effects and mechanisms of circuit training.

Conditions

• Stroke Patients

Interventions

DEVICE

Robots can aid in distal UE rehabilitation through exoskeleton (EXO)

Exoskeleton robot-assisted therapy Each EXO robot-assisted therapy session consists of continuous passive motion (30 percent of duration), active-assisted training (30 percent of duration), and interactive training (40 percent of duration) using the Hand of Hope (HOH) robotic hand system . HOH is an exoskeleton type of robot that is worn on the dorsal side of the impaired hand with 2 surface EMG sensors attached to the extensor digitorum and flexor digitorum superficialis.

DEVICE

End-effector robot-assisted therapy (EE)

Each EE robot-assisted therapy session consists of continuous passive motion (30 percent of duration), active-assisted training (30 percent of duration), and interactive training (40 percent of duration) using the Amadeo robotic system. Amadeo is an end-effector robot with 5 finger slides, which are attached to the fingertips and the thumb via magnetic finger pads. The integrated sensor for each finger allows the robot system to provide patients with real-time visual feedback of finger strengths and range of motion

BEHAVIORAL

Unilateral task-oriented therapy

The therapy will focus on task-oriented therapy with the affected UE and the training tasks involve proximal or distal UE movement, such as ringing a bell, picking up coins, grasping and releasing various cups, and other functional movements involved in daily activities. The level of challenge will be adapted according to patient ability and improvement during training.

BEHAVIORAL

Bilateral task-oriented therapy

The functional training tasks emphasize UE movements (gross or fine motor tasks) involved in daily activities but focus on both UEs moving synchronously, such as opening 2 closet doors, grasping and releasing 2 towels, wiping the table with 2 hands, and so on. The activities can also be graded in terms of difficulty and task requirements, according to the impairment level and the progression of the UE of each participant.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-06-01

Primary Completion

2026-12-31

Completion

2026-12-31

Countries

• Taiwan

Study Locations