Application of a Dual Upper Limb Task-Oriented Robotic System for the Functional Recovery of the Upper Limb in Stroke Patients

Summary

This experimental protocol outlines the use of a dual upper limb task-oriented robotic system for stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction. The findings indicate that this system can significantly improve stroke patients' upper limb function and daily living activities.

Abstract

Highly repetitive and task-oriented training has been shown to promote the recovery of limb function in stroke patients. Additionally, bilateral arm training can help stroke survivors regain their upper limb function and improve their daily activities. The dual upper limb task-oriented robotic system is designed to assist the healthy side of the stroke patient in driving the affected side to perform bilateral arm training through the use of a robotic device. It can also guide the patient in carrying out dual upper limb coordinated movements and engage them in a task-oriented virtual game using force feedback and human-computer interaction technology. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the system in enhancing upper limb function and activities of daily living in stroke patients. The assessment methods used included motor evoked potential (MEP), functional test for the hemiplegic upper extremity-Hong Kong (FTHUE-HK), Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity Scale (FMA-UE), and modified Barthel index (MBI). The results of the study indicate that the dual upper limb task-oriented robotic system can significantly improve the corticospinal pathway, upper limb function, and activities of daily living in stroke patients after 6 weeks of treatment. This system can serve as an effective adjunct to upper limb functional rehabilitation in stroke survivors, reducing the dependence on rehabilitation therapists. In conclusion, the dual upper limb task-oriented robotic system provides a new strategy for post-stroke limb functional rehabilitation and holds great potential for application, as it offers certain social and financial benefits.

Introduction

Stroke is one of the major causes of disability and the second leading cause of death globally^1,2. Stroke patients often face various challenges, such as motor, sensory, and cognitive deficits³. Upper limb dysfunction is a common problem after stroke, characterized by muscle weakness, spasticity, and reduced motor ability of the upper limb on the hemiplegic side⁴. It is reported to be present in more than 70% of stroke patients, and only around 5% recover to normal, while 20% regain some upper limb capabilities⁵. More than half of human li....

Protocol

This study (Approval No. JXEY-2020SW038) was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Second Hospital of Jiaxing, with all participants providing informed consent. It aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a protocol through a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial. Between January and December 2021, 60 stroke patients admitted to the Second Hospital of Jiaxing were enrolled.

NOTE: Inclusion criteria comprised: 1) confirmed diagnosis of cerebral infarction or hemorrhag.......

Discussion

Bilateral training has been shown to normalize intercortical inhibition in stroke patients, facilitate brain functional network reorganization, and ultimately enhance upper limb function²¹. This study presents a program for upper limb functional training in stroke patients utilizing a dual upper limb task-oriented robotic system. The program integrates bilateral upper limb movement, task-oriented activities, and robot-assisted training to enhance the rehabilitation of upper limb function in stroke.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Dual upper limb task-oriented robotic system	Auckland Tongji Rehabilitation Medical Equipment Research Center, Tongji Zhejiang College	N/A	The dual upper limb task-oriented robotic system can aid stroke patients in bilateral upper limb virtual game training by regulating force transmission between the healthy and affected upper limbs.
Magnetic stimulation therapy system	Sichuan Junjian Wanfeng Medical Equipment Co.,Ltd.	http://www.jjwf-med.com	This system can be used to measure the Motor evoked potential (MEP)
SPSS 25.0	IBM	Version 25.0	https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/downloading-ibm-spss-statistics-25