The effect of robot mediated therapy on upper extremity dysfunction post stroke

Abstract

Stroke is the leading cause of acquired disability with upper extremity (UE) dysfunction being one of the residual deficits associated with stroke. Recovery of the UE is less than that of the lower extremity and contributes largely to decreased well being and quality of life. While physiotherapy is widely accepted as a routine intervention post stroke there is currently little evidence to inform clinical practice. The evidence that does exist suggests that more intervention leads to better outcomes and that repetitive, exercise based intervention produces a positive treatment effect.