Effects of upper limb robot-assisted training on cognition and upper limb motor function for subacute stroke patients / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of upper limb robot-assisted training on cognitive function, upper limb motor function and activity of daily living for subacute stroke patients. MethodsFrom September, 2019 to September, 2020, 65 subacute stroke hemiplegic patients with cognitive impairment were randomly divided into control group (n = 32, two cases dropped) and experimental group (n = 33, three cases dropped). Both groups accepted conventional occupational therapy; and then, the control group accepted conventional cognitive training, while the experimental group accepted upper limb robot-assisted training, for four weeks. They were assessed with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and after treatment. ResultsThe scores of MoCA, MMSE, FMA-UE and MBI improved after treatment in both groups (t > 22.11, Z > 4.79, P < 0.001), the MoCA total score and some item-scores, MMSE total score and some item-scores, FMA-UE total score and the score of arm, and score of MBI improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 2.06, Z > 3.19, P < 0.05). ConclusionUpper limb robot-assisted training could facilitate to improve the cognitive function, upper limb motor function and activities of daily living in subacute stroke patients.