Motor-Cognitive Interactive Upper Limb Robot Rehabilitation for Post-Stroke Motor Dysfunction

Summary

This study aims to investigate the effects of motor-cognitive interactive robot-assisted training on improving upper limb motor dysfunction after stroke. By observing different combinations of motor and cognitive components in the training, the study will clarify the relationship between the proportion of motor and cognitive elements and the recovery of upper limb motor function. The goal is to optimize the training protocol for upper limb rehabilitation robots and enhance their therapeutic outcomes.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: motor-cognitive interactive robot-assisted training, motor-focused robot-assisted training, or conventional rehabilitation training. Training sessions will last 60 minutes, occur 5 times per week, and continue for 4 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in upper limb function and monitor for any adverse events during the training.

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

DEVICE

Motor-cognitive interactive robot

Motor-cognitive interactive robot-assisted training integrates motor and cognitive rehabilitation using an upper limb rehabilitation robot. If patients cannot actively lift the robotic arm, an eye-tracking mode detects movement intention and guides the arm along predefined trajectories, adjusting motor and cognitive loads dynamically. As motor function improves, training shifts to an active mode with increased resistance. Patients complete cognitive tasks before moving the robotic arm, while the system monitors movement parameters and provides real-time feedback. Training consists of 60-minute sessions, five days per week for four weeks. Motor load progresses by increasing robotic arm speed or resistance, while cognitive load advances based on task accuracy, ensuring personalized and adaptive rehabilitation.

DEVICE

Motor-focused robot

Motor-focused robot-assisted training primarily emphasizes motor rehabilitation through the use of an upper limb rehabilitation robot. When patients are unable to actively lift the robotic arm, an eye-tracking mode is employed to guide movements, with adjustments made solely to the motor load. As motor function improves, the training transitions to an active mode, progressively increasing resistance while maintaining a constant, minimal level of cognitive difficulty. Patients are required to complete cognitive tasks before initiating movement of the robotic arm, while the system monitors key movement parameters and provides real-time feedback. Training consists of 60-minute sessions, five days per week for four weeks. Motor load is progressively increased by adjusting the speed or resistance of the robotic arm, while cognitive load remains consistently at the lowest level throughout the training.

BEHAVIORAL

Conventional rehabilitation training

Conventional rehabilitation training adheres to internationally established guidelines and employs task-oriented approaches tailored to activities of daily living (ADLs). The therapeutic regimen incorporates fundamental motor skill exercises, including but not limited to grasp-and-release maneuvers, targeted reaching, fine motor skill development (e.g., button manipulation, zipper operation), and bilateral coordination tasks (e.g., garment folding, towel wringing). The intervention protocol emphasizes progressive task difficulty and functional task integration, with each session lasting 60 minutes. The treatment schedule consists of daily sessions, five times per week, over a four-week duration.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• The Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School

  collaborator OTHER

• China Rehabilitation Research Center

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Lidian Chen

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-04-08

Primary Completion

2026-12-31

Completion

2026-12-31

Countries

• China

Study Locations