Feasibility and Usability of a Robot-Assisted Complex Upper and Lower Limb Rehabilitation System in Patients with Stroke: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and usability of cost-effective complex upper and lower limb robot-assisted gait training in patients with stroke using the GTR-A, a foot-plate based end-effector type robotic device.Methods Patients with subacute stroke (n=9) were included in this study. The enrolled patients received 30-minute robot-assisted gait training thrice a week for 2 weeks (6 sessions). The hand grip strength, functional ambulation categories, modified Barthel index, muscle strength test sum score, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and Short Physical Performance Battery were used as functional assessments. The heart rate was measured to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate the usability of robot-assisted gait training. All the parameters were evaluated before and after the robot-assisted gait training program.Results Eight patients completed robot-assisted gait training, and all parameters of functional assessment significantly improved between baseline and posttraining, except for hand grip strength and muscle strength test score. The mean scores for each domain of the questionnaire were as follows: safety, 4.40±0.35; effects, 4.23±0.31; efficiency, 4.22±0.77; and satisfaction, 4.41±0.25.Conclusion Thus, the GTR-A is a feasible and safe robotic device for patients with gait impairment after stroke, resulting in improvement of ambulatory function and performance of activities of daily living with endurance training. Further research including various diseases and larger sample groups is necessary to verify the utility of this device.

Smart Devices for Health and Wellness Applied to Tele-Exercise: An Overview of New Trends and Technologies Such as IoT and AI

“…In addition, automation can be used to simplify and streamline the management of tele-exercise platforms, improving the user experience and enabling more personalized fitness experiences. Some examples of robotic applications in tele-exercise include physical therapist robots that can guide users through specific rehabilitation exercises, and robotic assistive devices that can support users with disabilities or physical limitations during workouts [77] These devices can be programmed to adapt to individual needs and provide a personalized level of assistance [78]. In addition, automation can be used to improve the analysis of data collected by IoT devices and fitness platforms.…”