Stroke Wearable Operative Rehabilitation Device Impact Trial

Inclusion criteria

• More than 18 years old at stroke onset, with no superior age limit;
• Medical diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke;
• First ever stroke;
• Previously independent, defined as having a modified Rankin scale (mRS) of 0-1;
• Clinical and CT or MRI compatible with a medial cerebral artery ischemic lesion;
• Confirmed motor deficit on the upper limb but not plegia (able to actively extend wrist, thumb, and at least 2 other digits >10°), defined as a score between 0 and 2 on items 5a or 5b of the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale;
• Inpatients, within no more than 4 weeks after stroke onset;
• Medically stable, no intravenous medication and already able to sit for more than one hour comfortably;
• Favourable opinion of the attending stroke physician;
• Patient and caregiver understand the purpose of the study and provided written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• No detectable motor deficits at baseline assessment by the neurologist;
• Severe aphasia;
• Dementia (any stage);
• Other cognitive or psychiatric comorbidity that impairs communication or compliance with the tasks;
• Severe respiratory or cardiac condition incompatible with more than one minute of continuous mild exercise (e.g. combing hair) in a sitting position;
• Pain that limits upper limb movement either on the normal or affected side;
• Upper limb amputation or severe deformity either on the normal or affected side;
• Fixed articular limitations of upper limb either on the normal or affected side;
• Enrollment in other trial in the previous 3 months.