Despite the well-known benefits of individualized treatments in rehabilitation, no customized robotic-assisted therapy protocol in stroke patients has been established yet. Therefore, researchers from IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS (IT), aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a customized robotic upper limb rehabilitation protocol for the treatment of stroke patient. This rehabilitation program included AMADEO®, DIEGO®, and PABLO®. The protocol, based on clinical assessment and guided by a flowchart, should further optimize the therapeutic benefits of robotic devices in stroke rehabilitation.
It is widely recognized that robot-assisted therapy is a beneficial supplement to conventional treatment in stroke rehabilitation. Still, there is a lack of knowledge which patients benefit most from robotic intervention. Currently, therapists often select robot-assisted exercises subjectively and without a structured approach. The present study is a first step to implement systematic reporting of the types of exercises, the selection of robotic parameters, and the rationale behind these choices. Customized protocols should support therapists to choose the most suitable rehabilitation option based on the patients’ clinical characteristics.
The study analyzed clinical data from 81 patients with subacute stroke who underwent 30 sessions of upper limb robotic rehabilitation. Of these, 49 patients received treatment using the customized robotic protocol (experimental group), while 32 patients received standard robotic therapy without customized protocol (control group).
Results from the study revealed significant improvements in both groups in terms of upper limb motor function, strength, and activities of daily living. However, the experimental group, which received treatment with the customized robotic protocol, yielded greater recovery in upper limb motor function and strength compared to the control group.
The findings underscore the importance of customized treatment approaches in stroke rehabilitation. Tailored robotic therapy protocols hold the potential to further improve the effectiveness and consistency of robotic rehabilitation programs in the future.
More information:
Pavan et al. Implementation of a robot-mediated upper limb rehabilitation protocol for a customized treatment after stroke: A retrospective analysis. NeuroRehabilitation. 2024; 54(3):411-420.