Electromechanical and Robot-Assisted Arm Training After Stroke
Therapies Friday, October 5th, 2012Stroke.ahajournals.org: October 2, 2012,
More than two thirds of all patients after stroke have difficulties with reduced arm function. Electromechanical and robot-assisted arm training devices are used in rehabilitation and might help to improve arm function after stroke. Our systematic review examined the effectiveness of electromechanical and robot-assisted arm training for improving generic activities of daily living, arm function, and arm muscle strength in patients after stroke and also assessed the acceptability and safety of the therapy.
Methods—We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group’s Trials Register (last searched July 2011), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; The Cochrane Library 2011, Issue 7), MEDLINE (1950 to July 2011), EMBASE (1980 to July 2011), CINAHL (1982 to July 2011), AMED (1985 to July 2011), SPORTDiscus (1949 to July 2011), PEDro (searched August 2011), COMPENDEX (1972 to July 2011), and INSPEC (1969 to July 2011). We also hand-searched relevant conference proceedings, searched trials and research registers, checked reference lists, and contacted trialists, experts, and researchers in our field as well as manufacturers of commercial devices. Read more
