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Research Article  |   January 2008
Effects of Combined Robotic Therapy and Repetitive-Task Practice on Upper-Extremity Function in a Patient With Chronic Stroke
Libby Rosenstein; Angela L. Ridgel; Anil Thota; Bridgette Samame; Jay L. Alberts
Author Affiliations
  • Libby Rosenstein, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Clinical Specialist, Department of Occupational Therapy, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195; rosensl@ccf.org
  • Angela L. Ridgel, PhD, is Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
  • Anil Thota, MS, is Research Engineer, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
  • Bridgette Samame, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Department of Occupational Therapy, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
  • Jay L. Alberts, PhD, is Investigator, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic; and Investigator, Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
Article Information
Hand and Upper Extremity / Neurologic Conditions / Stroke / Assistive Technology
Research Article   |   January 2008
Effects of Combined Robotic Therapy and Repetitive-Task Practice on Upper-Extremity Function in a Patient With Chronic Stroke
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, January/February 2008, Vol. 62, 28-35. doi:10.5014/ajot.62.1.28
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, January/February 2008, Vol. 62, 28-35. doi:10.5014/ajot.62.1.28
Abstract

OBJECTIVE. This article describes the effect of a robotic device combined with repetitive-task practice (RTP) on upper-extremity function in a patient with chronic stroke.

METHOD. The client was a 32-year-old woman, 11 months after stroke, with minimal wrist and finger movement. She received approximately 48 hr of intervention split evenly between a robotic device (Hand Mentor) and RTP during 3 weeks.

RESULTS. Favorable scores in the Wolf Motor Function Test were observed from pre-to postevaluation. Active range of motion, from pre-to postintervention, increased by 35° in the shoulder, 65° in the wrist, and 70° in the thumb. Kinetic analysis of a bimanual dexterity task indicated improved specification of grasping forces for both limbs.

CONCLUSION. Improvements in upper-extremity motor functioning and functional performance in daily tasks followed this client's engagement in distal initiation of movement during an RTP exercise regimen that was robotically reinforced.