Effects of task-oriented robot training on arm function, activity, and quality of life in chronic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Over fifty percent of stroke patients experience chronic arm hand performance problems, compromising independence in daily life activities and quality of life. Task-oriented training may improve arm hand performance after stroke, whereby augmented therapy may lead to a better treatment outcome. Technology-supported training holds opportunities for increasing training intensity. However, the effects of robot-supported task-oriented training with real life objects in stroke patients are not known to date. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness and added value of the Haptic Master robot combined with task-oriented arm hand training in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: In a single-blind randomized controlled trial, 22 chronic stroke patients were randomly allocated to receive either task-oriented robot-assisted arm-hand training (experimental group) or task-oriented non-robotic arm-hand training (control group). For training, the T-TOAT (Technology-supported Task-Oriented Arm Training) method was applied. Training was provided during 8 weeks, 4 times/week, 2 × 30 min/day. RESULTS: A significant improvement after training on the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) was demonstrated in the experimental group (p = 0.008). Results were maintained until 6 months after cessation of the training. On the perceived performance measure (Motor Activity Log (MAL)), both, the experimental and control group improved significantly after training (control group p = 0.008; experimental group p = 0.013). The improvements on MAL in both groups were maintained until 6 months after cessation of the training. With regard to quality of life, only in the control group a significant improvement after training was found (EuroQol-5D p = 0.015, SF-36 physical p = 0.01). However, the improvement on SF-36 in the control group was not maintained (p = 0.012). No between-group differences could be demonstrated on any of the outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Arm hand performance improved in chronic stroke patients, after eight weeks of task oriented training. The use of a Haptic Master robot in support of task-oriented arm training did not show additional value over the video-instructed task-oriented exercises in highly functional stroke patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN82787126.

Observational skills assessment score: reliability in measuring amount and quality of use of the affected hand in unilateral cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: The Observational Skills Assessment Score (OSAS) measures amount and quality of use of the affected hand in children with unilateral Cerebral Palsy (CP) in bimanual activities and could therefore be a valuable addition to existing assessment tools. The OSAS consists of tasks that are age appropriate and require use of the affected hand. METHODS: To measure the agreement and reliability of the OSAS a convenience sample of two groups of 16 children with unilateral spastic CP (2.5-6 and 12-16 years old), performed age specific bimanual tasks in 2 measurement sessions. Three experienced raters took part in testing and 8 in scoring. Intra class correlation (ICC) values for intra- and inter-rater reliability, and the mean and standard deviation of the differences between measurements were calculated. For test-retest reliability beside ICC scores, Smallest Detectable Differences (SDDs) were calculated in 16 older and 10 younger children. RESULTS: Generally, there seems to be good agreement between repeated measurements of the OSAS, as indicated by the small SDDs on most scales for quality of movement, compared to the range of their scales. This indicates potentially good sensitivity to change if used for patient evaluation purposes. The exceptions were the 'quality of reach' score for all tasks, and all quality scores for the stacking blocks task for the young children. As used in the present study, the OSAS has good discriminative capacity within patient populations as indicated by the high ICCs for most quality scores. Measuring the amount of use does not seem to be useful for either discrimination or evaluation. CONCLUSION: In general, the OSAS seems to be a reliable tool for assessing the quality of use of the affected hand in bimanual activities in younger and older children with unilateral CP. Some modifications may improve its usefulness and efficiency.

Effects of a remote-handling-concept-based task-oriented arm training (ReHab-TOAT) on arm-hand skill performance in chronic stroke: a study protocol for a two-armed randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Improving arm-hand skill performance is a major therapeutic target in stroke rehabilitation and needs intensive and varied training. However, guided treatment time is limited. Technology can assist in the training of patients, offering a higher intensity and more variety in content. A new task-oriented arm training approach was developed, using a 'Remote Handling concept based' device to provide haptic feedback during the performance of daily living activities (ReHab-TOAT). This study aims to investigate the effects of ReHab-TOAT on patients' arm-hand function and arm-hand skill performance, quality of life of both patients in the chronic phase after stroke and their caregivers and the patients' perception regarding the usability of the intervention. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was designed. Adult chronic stroke patients suffering from hemiparesis and arm-hand problems, with an Utrechtse Arm-hand Test score of 1-3, will be invited to participate. Participants in the experimental group receive ReHab-TOAT additional to care as usual. ReHab-TOAT contains task-oriented arm training for stroke patients in combination with haptic feedback, generated by a remote handling device. They will train for 4 weeks, 3× per week, 1.5h per day. Participants in the control group will receive no additional therapy apart from care as usual. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), measuring participants' motor performance of the affected arm, is used as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures are arm-hand capacity of the patient (ARAT), perceived arm-hand skill performance (MAL), actual arm-hand skill performance (accelerometry), patients' quality of life (EuoQol-5D) and caregivers' quality of life (CarerQoL). Participants' perception regarding the usability of the intervention, including both the developed approach and technology used, will be evaluated by the System Usability Scale and a questionnaire on the user experience of technology. Measurements will be performed at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks pre-intervention (baseline); immediately post-intervention; and 3, 6 and 9 months post-intervention. Statistical analysis includes linear mixed model analysis. DISCUSSION: This study is designed to investigate the evidence regarding the effects of ReHab-TOAT on patients' performance at different levels of the International Classification of Functioning, disability and health (ICF) model, i.e. a framework measuring functioning and disability in relation to a health condition, and to provide insights on a successful development and research process regarding technology-assisted training in co-creation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register NL9541. Registered on June 22, 2021.

The influence of a contoured seating base on pressure distribution and discomfort.

PURPOSE: This research paper examines how contouring of a wheelchair seating base can help prevent pressure sores by distributing pressure over the buttocks. Contouring wheelchair cushioning is already done to some extent and has proved to be beneficial for pressure distribution. We researched the effect of contouring the seating base, and whether contouring the seating base affects effectiveness in pressure distribution and perceived discomfort. MATERIALS & METHODS: 13 healthy participants performed a within-subject experiment with three differently contoured seating bases. Perceived comfort and seating pressure were measured for each condition. RESULTS: Results indicate that a more contoured base is positive for both comfort and increased pressure distribution. CONCLUSIONS: Contoured seating bases can provide increased comfort and improved pressure distribution over flat seating bases. Future research should examine the effect of contouring on stability, as well as compare the effects of contoured seating bases and contoured cushions.Implications for rehabilitationWe evaluated the comfort and pressure characteristics of three differently contoured hard seating bases for a wheelchair. The outcomes of the research shows that providing increased contour to seatings could be beneficial to reduce pressure peaks in the buttocks.Contour in the seating is conventionally created by shaping the cushions, this research shows the possibility of using a hard base underneath a cushion to create the desired contour.

Task-oriented arm training for stroke patients based on remote handling technology concepts: A feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Improving arm-hand skill performance is a major therapeutic target in stroke rehabilitation. Arm-hand rehabilitation may be enriched in content and variation by using technology-assisted training. Especially for people with a severely affected arm, technology-assisted training offers more challenging training possibilities. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of ReHab-TOAT, a "Remote Handling Based Task-Oriented Arm Training" approach featuring enriched haptic feedback aimed at improving daily activities and participation. METHODS: Five subacute or chronic stroke patients suffering moderate to severe arm-hand impairments and five rehabilitation therapists participated. All participants received 2 ReHab-TOAT sessions. Outcome measure was a bespoke feasibility questionnaire on user experiences and satisfaction regarding 'motivation', 'individualization of training', 'potential training effects', and 'implementation in rehabilitation' of patients and therapists. RESULTS: Both patients and therapists experienced ReHab-TOAT as being feasible. They found ReHab-TOAT very motivating and challenging. All patients perceived an added value of ReHab-TOAT and would continue the training. Small improvements regarding exercise variability were suggested. CONCLUSION: ReHab-TOAT seems to be a feasible and very promising training approach for arm-hand rehabilitation of stroke patients with a moderately or severely affected arm. Further research is necessary to investigate potential training effects of ReHab-TOAT.

The impact of robot-mediated adaptive I-TRAVLE training on impaired upper limb function in chronic stroke and multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE: The current study aimed to investigate proof-of-concept efficacy of an individualized, robot-mediated training regime for people with MS (pwMS) and stroke patients. METHOD: Thirteen pwMS and 14 chronic stroke patients performed 36 (stroke) or 40 (pwMS) training sessions with the I-TRAVLE system. Evaluation of upper limb function was performed at baseline, after training and at 3 months follow-up. Clinical outcome measures consisted of active range of motion (ROM), Motricity Index, Jamar handgrip strength, perceived fatigue and strength, Wolf Motor Function Test (WFMT) and ABILHAND. Robot-generated outcome measures consisted of movement velocity, ROM and actual covered distance compared to straight-line distance. RESULTS: In pwMS, significant improvements were found after training in active shoulder ROM, handgrip strength, perceived strength and WMFT activities. No significant change in clinical outcome was found in stroke patients, except for perceived strength. Significant improvement in speed and movement duration was found after training in both groups. At follow-up, clinical outcome deteriorated in pwMS and was maintained in stroke patients. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-mediated training resulted in improved movement coordination in both groups, as well as clinical improvement in pwMS. Absence of functional improvements in stroke patients may relate to severe upper limb dysfunction at baseline. Implications for Rehabilitation Robot-mediated training improved strength, active range of motion and upper limb capacity in pwMS. Robot-mediated therapy allows for adapted training difficulty.

Accelerometry measuring the outcome of robot-supported upper limb training in chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the extent to which accelerometers can be used to determine the effect of robot-supported task-oriented arm-hand training, relative to task-oriented arm-hand training alone, on the actual amount of arm-hand use of chronic stroke patients in their home situation. METHODS: This single-blind randomized controlled trial included 16 chronic stroke patients, randomly allocated using blocked randomization (n = 2) to receive task-oriented robot-supported arm-hand training or task-oriented (unsupported) arm-hand training. Training lasted 8 weeks, 4 times/week, 2 × 30 min/day using the (T-)TOAT ((Technology-supported)-Task-Oriented-Arm-Training) method. The actual amount of arm-hand use, was assessed at baseline, after 8 weeks training and 6 months after training cessation. Duration of use and intensity of use of the affected arm-hand during unimanual and bimanual activities were calculated. RESULTS: Duration and intensity of use of the affected arm-hand did not change significantly during and after training, with or without robot-support (i.e. duration of use of unimanual use of the affected arm-hand: median difference of -0.17% in the robot-group and -0.08% in the control group between baseline and after training cessation; intensity of the affected arm-hand: median difference of 3.95% in the robot-group and 3.32% in the control group between baseline and after training cessation). No significant between-group differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: Accelerometer data did not show significant changes in actual amount of arm-hand use after task-oriented training, with or without robot-support. Next to the amount of use, discrimination between activities performed and information about quality of use of the affected arm-hand are essential to determine actual arm-hand performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Controlled-trials.com ISRCTN82787126.

Influence of advanced prosthetic knee joints on perceived performance and everyday life activity level of low-functional persons with a transfemoral amputation or knee disarticulation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of two types of microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joints (MPKs) on perceived performance and everyday life activity level. DESIGN: Randomized cross-over trial. SUBJECTS: Thirty persons with a unilateral above-knee amputation or knee disarticulation classified as Medicare Functional Classification Level-2. METHODS: Participants were measured in 3 conditions, i.e. using a mechanically controlled prosthesis, an MPK featuring a microprocessor-controlled stance and swing phase (MPKA), and an MPK featuring a microprocessor-controlled stance phase (MPKB). Subjects' perceived performance regarding prosthesis use was measured with the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire. Subjects' activity level was quantified using accelerometry. As high within-group variability regarding subjects' functional performance was expected to impede detection of possible effects of an MPK, data were analysed for the total group and for 3 subgroups of participants. RESULTS: Participants' perception regarding ambulation, residual limb health, utility, and satisfaction with walking were significantly higher in the MPKA condition compared with the mechanical knee joint condition. Participants' activity level was similar in all knee joint conditions. CONCLUSION: Although Medicare Functional Classification Level-2 amputees report benefitting in terms of their performance from using an MPK, this is not reflected in their actual daily activity level after one week of using an MPK.

A comparison of treatment effects after sensor- and robot-based task-oriented arm training in highly functional stroke patients.

A large number of rehabilitation technologies for stroke patients has been developed in the last decade. To date it is insufficiently clear what the strengths of these different technologies are in relation to certain patient characteristics, such as the level of muscle strength and/or functional ability. One of the reasons is that research protocols differ so much that comparison of treatment results is impossible. This paper compares, while using the same patient inclusion criteria and training protocol, the effectivity of a sensor-supported versus robot-supported task-oriented arm training for highly functional chronic stroke patients. It appeared that individual improvements over time and Hedges's g effect sizes were twice as large for the sensor-based training compared to the robot-supported training in stroke patients with high functional levels. New research is planned to compare both therapy approaches for stroke patients with low and average functional levels.

Real-time subject-specific analyses of dynamic internal tissue loads in the residual limb of transtibial amputees.

Transtibial amputation (TTA) prosthetic-users may risk the integrity of their residuum while trying to maintain everyday activities. Compression of the muscle flap between the truncated bones and the prosthetic socket may cause pressure ulcers and deep tissue injury (DTI). We hypothesize that mechanical stresses in the muscle flap are higher when walking over complex terrains than during plane gait, and so, the residuum could be at risk for DTI when walking over these terrains. Accordingly, we evaluated internal soft tissue stresses in the residuum at the vicinity of the tibia in 18 prosthetic-users (7 vascular, 11 traumatic). For this purpose, we developed a portable monitor that calculated subject-specific internal stresses in the residuum in real-time. Each subject was studied while walking on plane floor, grass, stairs and slope. We found that internal stresses were the highest while subjects descended a slope, during which internal peak and root mean square (RMS) stresses were approximately 40% and 50% greater than in plane gait, respectively. Peak and RMS stresses calculated while descending a slope were approximately 2 times higher for the sub-group of vascular subjects compared to traumatic, but were similar between the two sub-groups for other ambulation tasks. Overall, the present internal stress monitor is a practical tool for real-time evaluation of internal stresses in the residuum of TTA prosthetic-users in the clinical setting or outdoors. Pending integration of appropriate dynamic tissue injury thresholds, the device can be utilized for alerting to the danger of DTI.

Sensor-based arm skill training in chronic stroke patients: results on treatment outcome, patient motivation, and system usability.

As stroke incidence increases, therapists' time is under pressure. Technology-supported rehabilitation may offer new opportunities. The objective of this study was to evaluate patient motivation for and the feasibility and effects of a new technology-supported task-oriented arm training regime (T-TOAT). Nine chronic stroke patients performed T-TOAT (2 x 30 min/day, four days/week) during eight weeks. A system including movement tracking sensors, exercise board, and software-based toolkit was used for skill training. Measures were recorded at baseline, after four and eight weeks of training, and six months posttraining. T-TOAT improved arm-hand performance significantly on Fugl-Meyer, Action Research Arm Test, and Motor Activity Log. Training effects lasted at least six months posttraining. Health-related-quality-of-life had improved significantly after eight weeks of T-TOAT with regard to perceived physical health, but not to perceived mental health (SF-36). None of the EuroQol-5D components showed significant differences before and after training. Participants were intrinsically motivated and felt competent to use the system. Furthermore, system usability was rated very good. However, exercise challenge as perceived by participants decreased significantly over eight weeks of training. The results of this study indicate that T-TOAT is feasible. Despite the small number of stroke patients tested, significant and clinically relevant improvements in skilled arm-hand performance were found.