A Robotic System with EMG-Triggered Functional Eletrical Stimulation for Restoring Arm Functions in Stroke Survivors

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Robotics

Background:

• Robotic systems combined with Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) show promise for upper-limb motor recovery after stroke.
• Adequately-sized randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to validate these findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if arm training with RETRAINER (passive exoskeleton with electromyograph-triggered FES) surpasses advanced conventional therapy (ACT) in restoring arm function, dexterity, strength, daily activities, and quality of life after stroke.

Main Methods:

• A single-blind RCT involved 72 stroke patients over 9 weeks.
• The experimental group received RETRAINER-assisted task-oriented exercises plus ACT; the control group received ACT only.
• Outcomes included Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Motricity Index, Motor Activity Log, Box and Blocks Test (BBT), Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SSQoL), and Muscle Research Council.

Main Results:

• Both groups improved significantly in most outcomes over time (P < .001).
• The RETRAINER group showed significantly greater improvements in ARAT and BBT compared to the ACT group.
• ARAT scores improved by 11.5 points at intervention end and 13.6 points at 1-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Hybrid robotic systems like RETRAINER, offering personalized, intensive, task-oriented training with sensory feedback, are superior to ACT for improving arm function and dexterity post-stroke.