Combined Robotic Hand Rehabilitation and Conventional Rehabilitation for Post-stroke Rehabilitation

Objective: Hemiplegia or hemiparesis is commonly seen after stroke.Upper limb function, particularly hand function, plays a crucial role in determining the quality of life and independence after stroke. Numerous studies have been conducted on rehabilitation to improve upper extremity function.There are many studies in the literature on the hand and upper extremity functions of Conventional Rehabilitation and Robotic Hand Rehabilitation in stroke. They revealed that both therapies had a positive effect on the results. There is no study on the effect of combined application of Conventional Rehabilitation and Robotic Hand Rehabilitation on hand and upper extremity functions. More successful hand functional results may be achieved by applying both rehabilitations together in stroke. The aim of our study is to compare the effects of early-term individually and concomitant Conventional Rehabilitation and Robotic Hand Rehabilitation on hand and upper extremity functions and hand strength in stroke. Our hypothesis is that the combined application of Conventional Rehabilitation and Robotic Hand Rehabilitation together will provide better functional results of the hand and upper extremity.

Methods: 66 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia will include in our study. Grip strength was measured with a dynamometer (JamarR, PrestonTM, Jackson, MI) and pinch strength was measured with a specially designed instrument (Pinch gauge, B&R EngineeringTM, Santa Fe Springs, CA). Measurements were made 3 times and the average value was taken. The patients were evaluated before rehabilitation and at the first month follow-up. The same therapist who was blind to the type of rehabilitation evaluated the patients before treatment and at the first month follow-up.

Conclusions: Combined Rehabilitation achieves results just as successful as Conventional Rehabilitation in terms of daily living activities, upper extremity functions, and hand functions. Additionally, it significantly outperformed Conventional Rehabilitation in improving hand functions, treating hand spasticity, and enhancing hand strength.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosed with cortical or subcortical stroke confirmed by radiological imaging
• Over 18 years old age
• Mini-Mental Scale (MMS) = 24-30
• Not having serious cognitive impairment (score ≥22)
• The rehabilitation of the patient was performed at the rehabilitation department of XXXXX Research and Training Hospital.

Exclusion criteria

• Having a stroke lesion in other areas of the brain such as the cerebellum and brainstem
• Presence of joint or bone pathologies in the affected upper extremity
• Excessive spasticity in the elbow or wrist joints of the affected upper extremity (Modified Ashworth Scale score >3)
• Having previously surgical treatment history on the affected extremity
• Having an additional neurological disease
• Not complying with treatment recommendations or inadequately applying.