Improving Upper-Limb Recovery in Patients with Chronic Stroke Using an 8-Week Bilateral Arm-Training Device

TL;DR

This study tested a new arm-training device for chronic stroke patients and found it improved upper-limb movement and function.

Contribution

The study introduces the Arm Booster, a novel bilateral arm-training device, and evaluates its effectiveness in chronic stroke rehabilitation.

Findings

Both groups showed significant improvements in upper-limb motor impairment after eight weeks of training.

The device group showed improved movement in moderate-to-severe spasticity subgroups.

The Arm Booster encourages frequent independent exercise and may improve movement control.

Abstract

Upper-limb impairments after stroke significantly affect patients’ quality of life and require effective rehabilitation strategies. Rehabilitation devices play a vital role in enhancing motor recovery. This study evaluated the efficacy of the Arm Booster, a bilateral arm-training device, in improving upper-limb impairment in patients with chronic stroke. Eighteen participants were randomly assigned to two groups: a device group (n = 9), using the Arm Booster; and a conventional physiotherapy group (n = 9). Both groups performed six bilateral upper-limb exercises (32 repetitions each) three times per week for eight weeks. Participants were further classified into mild spasticity (n = 5) and moderate-to-severe spasticity (n = 4) subgroups. The primary outcome was motor impairment, assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE). Secondary outcomes included spasticity, measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and daily functional use of the arm, assessed with the Motor Activity Log (MAL). Both groups showed significant improvements in FMA-UE scores and overall arm movement. The conventional group demonstrated additional gains in hand and wrist function and coordination. Notably, in the moderate-to-severe spasticity subgroup, the device group exhibited improvements in upper-limb movement and a trend toward reduced spasticity. These findings suggest that the Arm Booster may support motor recovery, encourage the use of the affected arm, improve movement control, and provide an efficient means for patients to exercise more frequently on their own.

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