Ann Rehabil Med.  2016 Aug;40(4):611-619. 10.5535/arm.2016.40.4.611.

The Effect of an Upper Limb Rehabilitation Robot on Hemispatial Neglect in Stroke Patients

• Choi YS
• Lee KW
• Lee JH
• Kim SB
• Park GT
• Lee SJ

• KMID: 2356646
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2016.40.4.611

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effectiveness of an upper limb rehabilitation robot therapy on hemispatial neglect in stroke patients.
METHODS
Patients were randomly divided into an upper limb rehabilitation robot treatment group (robot group) and a control group. The patients in the robot group received left upper limb training using an upper limb rehabilitation robot. The patients sat on the right side of the robot, so that the monitor of the robot was located on the patients' left side. In this position, patients could focus continuously on the left side. The control group received conventional neglect treatment, such as visual scanning training and range of motion exercises, administered by occupational therapists. Both groups received their respective therapies for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks. Several tests were used to evaluate treatment effects before and after the 3-week treatment.
RESULTS
In total, 38 patients (20 in the robot group and 18 in the control group) completed the study. After completion of the treatment sessions, both groups showed significant improvements in the Motor-Free Visual Perception Test 3rd edition (MVPT-3), the line bisection test, the star cancellation test, the Albert's test, the Catherine Bergego scale, the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Korean version of Modified Barthel Index. The changes in all measurements showed no significant differences between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
This present study showed that the upper limb robot treatment had benefits for hemispatial neglect in stroke patients that were similar to conventional neglect treatment. The upper limb robot treatment could be a therapeutic option in the treatment of hemispatial neglect after stroke.

Keyword

Stroke; Perceptual disorders; Robotics; Upper extremity

MeSH Terms

Exercise
Humans
Perceptual Disorders*
Range of Motion, Articular
Rehabilitation*
Robotics
Stroke*
Upper Extremity*
Visual Perception

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Neuro-X system, an upper limb rehabilitation robot, consisted of a monitor and upper limb exercise equipment. The subject's posture was deviated at the right side from the robot.

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  Fig. 2 Four game programs on the Neuro-X system (Apsun Inc., Seoul, Korea). (A) Archery game, (B) goalkeeper game, (C) dolphin circus game, and (D) skateboard game.

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  Fig. 3 The algorithm for enrollment of the subjects. MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination; MMT, Manual Muscle Test.

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