Effects of Intensive Robot-assisted Therapy in Patients With Subacute Stroke

The Bi-Manu-Track enables the symmetrical practice of 2 movement patterns in conjunction with computer games: forearm pronation-supination and wrist flexion-extension. Each movement has three computer-controlled modes: (1) passive-passive, with both arms being moved by the machine with speed and range of motion individually adjustable; (2) active-passive, with the nonaffected arm driving the affected arm in a mirror-like fashion; and (3) active-active, with both arms actively moving against resistance. The speed of movement, the amount of resistance, and the range of movement can be adjusted individually. The device has a mechanical breaking of the movement when the torques exceeded 4 Nm, emergency breaks in the reach of the patients, skin friendly materials, and minimal risk for contusions.

CR will focus on neurodevelopmental techniques with emphasis on functional tasks when possible. The functional training will be designed based on patients' motor capacity and include gross motor and fine motor dexterity training, and transitive and intransitive training. Stretching of the more affected limb, passive and active range of movements, and normalizing muscle tone by applying reflex inhibition patterns, inhibiting abnormal patterns, weight bearing with the affected limb will be applied to assist in functional task practice.