A Robotic System with EMG-Triggered Functional Eletrical Stimulation for Restoring Arm Functions in Stroke Survivors.

BACKGROUND

Robotic systems combined with Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) showed promising results on upper-limb motor recovery after stroke, but adequately-sized randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are still missing.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether arm training supported by RETRAINER, a passive exoskeleton integrated with electromyograph-triggered functional electrical stimulation, is superior to advanced conventional therapy (ACT) of equal intensity in the recovery of arm functions, dexterity, strength, activities of daily living, and quality of life after stroke.

METHODS

A single-blind RCT recruiting 72 patients was conducted. Patients, randomly allocated to 2 groups, were trained for 9 weeks, 3 times per week: the experimental group performed task-oriented exercises assisted by RETRAINER for 30 minutes plus ACT (60 minutes), whereas the control group performed only ACT (90 minutes). Patients were assessed before, soon after, and 1 month after the end of the intervention. Outcome measures were as follows: Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Motricity Index, Motor Activity Log, Box and Blocks Test (BBT), Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SSQoL), and Muscle Research Council.

RESULTS

All outcomes but SSQoL significantly improved over time in both groups (

CONCLUSIONS

Hybrid robotic systems, allowing to perform personalized, intensive, and task-oriented training, with an enriched sensory feedback, was superior to ACT in improving arm functions and dexterity after stroke.