Feasibility and Efficacy of a Robotic Device for Hand Rehabilitation

All patients underwent basic rehabilitation following the guidelines according to the Bobath concept. Mobilization performed by physiotherapist of the lower and upper limbs through passive and/or active manoeuvres, gait training, standing and functional exercises and speech rehabilitation.

"Each training session consisted of six parts:~1. A sequence of digital joint flexion/extension exercises, from the thumb to the fifth finger (7 min);~2. 7 min of a number sequence (counting from one to five);~3. A sequence of thumb-finger opposition movements from the 2nd to the 5th finger (7 min)~4. A sequence of wave-like finger movements (7 min)~5. A sequence of fist opening/closing (7 min)~6. A sequence of flexion-extension of the fingers alternated with flexion-extension of the thumb (5 min)."

"The activities were:~1. Flexion-extension of the fingers (10 min);~2. Thumb opposition with the other fingers keeping the forearm in supine position (10 min);~3. Adduction and abduction of the fingers (10 min);~4. Global movement of the hand consisting in reaching for a 0.5l bottle of water, taking hold of it, pouring water into a glass, and then putting the bottle down and letting go of it (10 min)."