Home-Based Versus Laboratory-Based Robotic Ankle Training for Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Randomized Comparative Trial

Abstract

These findings suggest that the translation of repetitive, goal-directed, biofeedback training through motivating games from the laboratory to the home environment is feasible. The benefits of home-based robot-guided therapy were similar to those of laboratory-based robot-guided therapy.

Reviewing Clinical Effectiveness of Active Training Strategies of Platform-Based Ankle Rehabilitation Robots

“…It was found that VR game training with teleassistance is not only convenient and economical but also effective based on significant improvement in passive and active joint ROM, muscle strength, spasticity, and balance after the training at home. Chen et al [ 14 ] divided 41 children with CP to a laboratory-based group and a home-based group to conduct the same VR game training. This also suggested that VR game training is feasible to be conducted at home since both groups received similar benefits after the training.…”

“…When conducting intelligent passive stretching, subjects are requested to feel relaxed with ankle joints being stretched to follow up predefined motion trajectories of the robot and without resistance force generated from their ankle joints [ 22 ]. In the clinical research, intelligent passive stretching is usually regarded as either a process of warming up to energize impaired ankle joints or a process of cooling down to eliminate the tension of ankle joints at the end of the training [ 14 , 49 , 53 , 59 , 65 ]. In general, intelligent passive stretching can avoid accidental injuries to ankle joints, because of its inverse proportion between the rotating speed and the resistance torque of ankle joints.…”

“…Ankle robots can provide accurate and uniform rehabilitation exercises in a long-time session of the training, the difficulty of which can be adaptively modified based on real-time feedback of therapeutic effects [ 10 ]. Also, the use of robot-assisted ankle rehabilitation technique allows for real-time data collection throughout the training, to further judge the accuracy of the training [ 5 ], evaluate the biomechanical properties of ankle joints [ 11 , 12 ], assess the performance of motion ability of ankle joints [ 10 , 13 ], and customize future therapies [ 14 ]. Ankle robots can be classified to two kinds, one of which is wearable ankle robots applied to improve gait and locomotor ability, and the other of which is platform-based robots applied in a sitting position to enhance physical function and motion ability of ankle joints [ 15 ].…”

Efficacy of a home‐based platform for child‐to‐child interaction on hand motor function in unilateral cerebral palsy

“…The insufficient provision of therapeutic services for children with disabilities is an internationally recognized problem. Therefore, alternative service delivery models have been proposed, including family‐centred and domiciliary approaches . However, such home‐based approaches present relevant limitations as clinicians are not allowed to manage ongoing treatment directly to verify compliance and adherence.…”

“…Therefore, alternative service delivery models have been proposed, including family-centred and domiciliary approaches. [10][11][12][13][14] However, such home-based approaches present relevant limitations as clinicians are not allowed to manage ongoing treatment directly to verify compliance and adherence.…”