Efficacy of Armeo® Spring during the chronic phase of stroke. Study in mild to moderate cases of hemiparesis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a gravity-supported, computer-enhanced device (Armeo® Spring) for upper limb rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 23 chronic hemiparetic patients (chronicity: 328 ± 90.8 days; distribution: 17 men and 6 women) aged 54.6 ± 9.5 years, who had sustained ischaemic stroke (n=12) or haemorrhagic stroke (n=11). All patients completed 36 one-hour sessions using the Armeo® Spring system. Arm movement was assessed at the beginning and end of the treatment programme and once more 4 months later. Main outcome measurements covered structure, activity, and function, as per the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: Modified Ashworth Scale, Motricity Index (MI), Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FM), Motor Assessment Scale (MAS), Manual Function Test (MFT), and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA showed significant improvement (time effect) for all function scales (P<.01 for FM and MI) and activity scales (P<.01 for MAS, MFT and WMFT-ability, and P<.05 WMFT-time) without significant changes in muscle tone. The post-hoc analysis (Bonferroni) showed different evolutionary patterns for function and activity measurements, and clear benefits related to Armeo® Spring training, especially on activity scales. CONCLUSIONS: Armeo® Spring is an effective tool for rehabilitating the affected arm in patients with hemiparesis secondary to ictus, even in the chronic stage.

Eficacia del sistema Armeo ®Spring en la fase crónica del ictus. Estudio en hemiparesias leves-moderadas / Efficacy of Armeo ®Spring during the chronic phase of stroke. Study in mild to moderate cases of hemiparesis

Objetivo: Valorar la eficacia del sistema Armeo®Spring para la rehabilitación del miembro superior en pacientes crónicos que han presentado un ictus. Material y métodos: Veintitrés pacientes (17 varones y 6 mujeres), con una edad media ± desviación estándar de 54,6 ± 9,5 años, que presentaban una hemiparesia crónica (cronicidad de 328 ± 90,8 días) secundaria a ictus isquémico (n = 12) o hemorrágico (n = 11), se incluyeron en este estudio. Todos los pacientes completaron 36 sesiones de una hora de duración con el sistema Armeo®Spring y fueron valorados al inicio, al fin y 4 meses después de completar el tratamiento con escalas dirigidas a los dominios de estructura, función y actividad de la Clasificación Internacional del Funcionamiento, de la Discapacidad y de la Salud (CIF) incluyendo: Ashworth Modified Scale, Motricity Index (MI), Fugl-Meyer ssessment Scale (FM), Motor Assessment Scale (MAS), Manual Function Test (MFT) y Wolf Motor Function (WMFT). Resultados: Un ANOVA de medidas repetidas mostró una mejoría significativa (efecto tiempo) en todas las escalas de función (p < 0,01 en FM y MI) y actividad (p < 0,01 en MAS, MFT, WMFT Habilidad y p < 0,05 en WMFT-tiempo), sin que se apreciaran cambios significativos en el tono muscular. El estudio post hoc (Bonferroni) mostró un patrón de evolución diferente entre las escalas de función y las de actividad, con un beneficio directamente ligado al entrenamiento, especialmente en las escalas de actividad. Conclusiones: El Armeo®Spring constituye una herramienta eficaz para la rehabilitación del miembro superior afectado en pacientes con una hemiparesia debida a un ictus, incluso en estadios crónicos (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a gravity-supported, computer-enhanced device (Armeo®Spring) for upper limb rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients. Material and methods: We included 23 chronic hemiparetic patients (chronicity: 328 ± 90.8 days; distribution: 17 men and 6 women) aged 54.6 ± 9.5 years, who had sustained ischaemic stroke (n = 12) or haemorrhagic stroke (n = 11). All patients completed 36 one-hour sessions using the Armeo®Spring system. Arm movement was assessed at the beginning and end of the treatment programme and once more 4 months later. Main outcome measurements covered structure, activity, and function, as per the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: Modified Ashworth Scale, Motricity Index (MI), Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FM), Motor Assessment Scale (MAS), Manual Function Test (MFT), and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). Results: Repeated measures ANOVA showed significant improvement (time effect) for all function scales (P < .01 for FM and MI) and activity scales (P<.01 for MAS, MFT and WMFT-ability, and P < .05 WMFT-time) without significant changes in muscle tone. The post-hoc analysis (Bonferroni) showed different evolutionary patterns for function and activity measurements, and clear benefits related to Armeo®Spring training, especially on activity scales. Conclusions: Armeo®Spring is an effective tool for rehabilitating the affected arm in patients with hemiparesis secondary to ictus, even in the chronic stage (AU)