Task-oriented arm training for stroke patients based on remote handling technology concepts: Results of a pilot study

Jule Elmanowski*, Melanie Kleynen, Richard Geers, Jeanine Verbunt, Henk Seelen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Improving arm-hand skill performance is a major goal in the rehabilitation of patients who suffered a stroke. Technology-assisted training may enrich training content and variation. We developed a new task-oriented arm training approach (ReHab-TOAT) based on 'remote handling concept' technology from nuclear industry (DexterTM, Veolia Nuclear Solutions, Abingdon, UK) to provide enriched proprioceptive feedback. Aim was to investigate the potential order of magnitude the ReHab-TOAT concept may have additional to therapy-as-usual on improving arm-hand function (AHF) and arm-hand skill performance (AHSP) in both subacute and chronic stroke patients. This study included five subacute and five chronic hemiparetic stroke patients suffering from moderate to severe arm-hand problems. Over a six-weeks period, participants received 18 sessions of ReHab-TOAT additional to therapy-as-usual. Outcome measures were taken pre- and post-intervention. Clinical relevant overall improvements regarding AHF (mean improvement on the FuglMeyer Assessment: 15.3 points (+-9.6 SD, p=0.007)) and AHSP (mean improvement on the Action Research Arm Test: 6.8 points (+- 9.0 SD, p=0.036)), which also exceeded the minimal detectable change (MDC), were found. When differentiating between subacute and chronic stroke patients, analyses showed clinically relevant improvements in AHF in the chronic and subacute stroke groups, while clinical relevant improvements in AHSP were only found in the subacute group. This pilot study provided data for a power analysis for an ensuing randomized clinical trial.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings - 2023 IEEE 36th International Symposium on Computer-Based Medical Systems, CBMS 2023
EditorsRosa Sicilia, Bridget Kane, Joao Rafael Almeida, Myra Spiliopoulou, Jose Alberto Benitez Andrades, Giuseppe Placidi, Alejandro Rodriguez Gonzalez
PublisherIEEE
Pages410-415
Number of pages6
Volume2023-June
ISBN (Electronic)9798350312249
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Event36th IEEE International Symposium on Computer Based Medical Systems 2023 - L'Aquila, Italy
Duration: 22 Jun 202324 Jun 2023
Conference number: 36
https://2023.cbms-conference.org/index.html
https://2023.cbms-conference.org/

Publication series

SeriesProceedings - IEEE Symposium on Computer-Based Medical Systems
Volume2023-June
ISSN1063-7125

Symposium

Symposium36th IEEE International Symposium on Computer Based Medical Systems 2023
Abbreviated titleCBMS 2023
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityL'Aquila
Period22/06/2324/06/23
Internet address

Keywords

  • Technology-assisted treatment
  • Robotics
  • Proprioception
  • Rehabilitation
  • Stroke
  • Gamification
  • Motor learning
  • Arm-hand skill performance
  • Arm-hand function
  • ROBOT-ASSISTED THERAPY
  • UPPER-LIMB
  • FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY

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