A Pilot Study of Robot-assisted Therapy for Post-stroke Forearm and Wrist Rehabilitation Training

Introduction: Motor impairment of the upper limb is measured by the means of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale that are related to wrist and forearm component. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) is a stroke-specific, performance-based impairment index.

Scores: With the component of upper extremity (max 4 scores), wrist (max 10 scores), passive joint motion (max 8 scores) and joint pain (max 8 scores), the total or maximum scores is the sum of all the component which is 30 and the minimum is 0. The score for a normal person is 30 scores. The higher the score indicates the better the condition of the subject.

Procedure: The procedure is done according to the standard guideline of this assessment scale.

Introduction: Motor function that are related to wrist and forearm are measured using the Motor Assessment Scale. The Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) is a performance-based scale that was developed as a means of assessing everyday motor function in patients with stroke. In MAS, task 1 and 3 in the hand movement sub-component assessment were accessed (MAS-Hand), as the two task is the most related component to the tested movement.

Score: The total or maximum scores is 2, and minimum scores is 0. In this scale, the higher the score indicates the better the condition of the subject. The score for a healthy person is 2.

Procedure: The procedure is done according to the standard guideline of this assessment scale.

Introduction: The spasticity level of wrist is measured by using Modified Ashworth Scale. It measures resistance during passive soft-tissue stretching. This measure will only measure the wrist component, as forearm component is not included in this scale.

Scoring: The total or maximum scores for the subscale is 4 and the minimum is 0 score. Higher scores indicates the higher the tone, lower score indicates less tone. 0 score indicates normal tone and no increase in tone, while 4 scores indicate affected part rigid in flexion or extension. All the scores will be summed.

Procedure: The measuring procedure starts by holding the elbow as straight as possible at forearm pronated. Then, the patient's wrist is moved from maximum possible flexion to maximum possible extension. The test is performed up tp maximum of 3 times to avoid the influence of the effect of stretch.

Introduction: Forearm's active range of motion (AROM) is a measurement to identify how far the person's joints range can move in pronation-supination by moving with their own effort.

Scores: The score is measured in terms of angular degree, where the higher the degree of motion the better the person condition. The normalized AROM for normal forearm pronation-supination is about 157 angular degree, a person who is able to achieve or over this range consider normal or in good condition in this study. The minimum angular degree will be 0.

Procedure: The forearm AROM will be measured by using the CR2-Haptic robot, where the subject will hold the handle at forearm, subject will be guided to sit upright with shoulder abducted at 30-60' and elbow flexed at 90-120' supported by an adjustable arm rest with strap and the subject will move their forearm to maximum range in both direction. The moving range will be recorded by the robot and stored as report in its software.

Introduction: Forearm's passive range of motion (PROM) is a measurement to identify how far the person's joints range can move in pronation-supination directed by a person manually.

Scores: The score is measured in terms of angular degree, where the higher the degree of motion the better the person condition.The normalized forearm pronation-supination is about 169 angular degree, a person who is able to achieve or over this range is considered normal or in good condition in this study. The minimum angular degree is 0.

Procedure: The forearm PROM will be measured by using the CR2-Haptic robot, where the subject will hold the handle at forearm, subject will be guided to sit upright with shoulder abducted at 30-60' and elbow flexed at 90-120' supported by an adjustable arm rest with strap and the forearm will be moved manually by the therapist to access the passive range of motion. The moving range will be recorded by the robot and stored as report in its software.

Introduction: Wrist's passive range of motion (PROM) is a measurement to identify how far the person's joints range can move in flexion-extension directed by a person manually.

Scores: The score is measured in terms of angular degree, where the higher the degree of motion the better the person condition. The total normalized PROM for normal wrist flexion-extension is about 164 angular degree, a person who is able to achieve or over this range consider normal or in good condition in this study. The minimum angular degree is 0.

Procedure: The wrist PROM will be measured by using the CR2-Haptic robot, where the subject will hold the handle, subject will be guided to sit upright with shoulder abducted at 30-60' and elbow flexed at 90-120' supported by an adjustable arm rest with strap and the wrist will be moved manually by the therapist to access the passive range of motion. The moving range will be recorded by the robot and store as report in its software.

Introduction: Wrist's active range of motion (AROM) is a measurement to identify how far the person's joints range can move in by moving with their own effort.

Scores: The score is measured in terms of angular degree, where the higher the degree of motion the better the person condition. The total normalized AROM for normal wrist flexion-extension is about 144 angular degree, a person who is able to achieve or over this range consider normal or in good condition in this study. The minimum angular degree is 0.

Procedure: The wrist's AROM will be measured by using the CR2-Haptic robot, where the subject will hold the handle at forearm, subject will be guided to sit upright with shoulder abducted at 30-60' and elbow flexed at 90-120' supported by an adjustable arm rest with strap and the subject will move their wrist to maximum range in both direction. The moving range will be recorded by the robot and stored as report in its software.