Robotic Rehabilitation Vs Occupational Therapy Chronic Stroke Upper Limb Rehabilitation

"Group A will receive rehabilitative treatment using the Gloreha Sinfonia system . The treatment regimen spans five weeks and encompasses a progressive series of exercises. Gloreha features an adaptable mechanical design developed for hand rehabilitation. Its activities involve grasping and releasing, facilitated through a lightweight and flexible orthosis. The device, comprising a robotic glove and mechanical arm, enables both finger mobility and upper limb support, facilitating semi-autonomous execution of motor tasks. Gloreha's versatility allows for exercises involving the entire upper limb, including motor-cognitive serious games utilizing virtual reality and interaction with real objects. Real-time feedback enhances patient self-assessment. Moreover, the robot incorporates an automated component interfacing with flexion sensors, gauging the patient's autonomous engagement in Occupational Therapy tasks and serious games."

"Occupational Therapy is also recommended in Stroke Rehabilitation Clinical Guidelines. However, its implementation in rehabilitation services in Italy is still limited, presumably due to regulatory factors. For stroke patients, the goal of occupational therapy is to enhance the ability to perform activities of daily living, often focusing on the use of the hand and upper limb in purposeful tasks. Strategies employed by occupational therapists include assessment, treatment, compensation strategies, assistive technologies, and environmental adaptations.~Occupational therapy appears to enhance performance in activities of daily living and reduce the likelihood of impairment in these abilities, although the evidence is of low quality. There is also limited and moderately quality evidence in the area of occupational therapy for addressing depressive and anxiety symptoms in hospital-based rehabilitation for physical disabilities."

Participants will be provided guidance by a skilled physiotherapist to follow a customized exercise regimen independently within the comfort of their homes. This program will specifically target the upper limb and will be tailored according to the evaluation performed at the initial assessment.