Improving Upper-Limb Recovery in Patients with Chronic Stroke Using an 8-Week Bilateral Arm-Training Device
Upper-limb impairments after stroke significantly affect patients’ quality of life and require effective rehabilitation strategies. Rehabilitation devices play a vital role in enhancing motor recovery. This study evaluated the efficacy of the <i>Arm Booster</i>, a bilateral arm-training...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Thanyaporn Wongwatcharanon Pinailug Tantilipikorn Earde Bunyong Rungroungdouyboon Patcharee Kooncumchoo |
| author_facet | Thanyaporn Wongwatcharanon Pinailug Tantilipikorn Earde Bunyong Rungroungdouyboon Patcharee Kooncumchoo |
| author_sort | Thanyaporn Wongwatcharanon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Upper-limb impairments after stroke significantly affect patients’ quality of life and require effective rehabilitation strategies. Rehabilitation devices play a vital role in enhancing motor recovery. This study evaluated the efficacy of the <i>Arm Booster</i>, a bilateral arm-training device, in improving upper-limb impairment in patients with chronic stroke. Eighteen participants were randomly assigned to two groups: a device group (<i>n</i> = 9), using the <i>Arm Booster</i>; and a conventional physiotherapy group (<i>n</i> = 9). Both groups performed six bilateral upper-limb exercises (32 repetitions each) three times per week for eight weeks. Participants were further classified into mild spasticity (<i>n</i> = 5) and moderate-to-severe spasticity (<i>n</i> = 4) subgroups. The primary outcome was motor impairment, assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE). Secondary outcomes included spasticity, measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and daily functional use of the arm, assessed with the Motor Activity Log (MAL). Both groups showed significant improvements in FMA-UE scores and overall arm movement. The conventional group demonstrated additional gains in hand and wrist function and coordination. Notably, in the moderate-to-severe spasticity subgroup, the device group exhibited improvements in upper-limb movement and a trend toward reduced spasticity. These findings suggest that the Arm Booster may support motor recovery, encourage the use of the affected arm, improve movement control, and provide an efficient means for patients to exercise more frequently on their own. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-775600adb09b46cbb3d8f4b7a919a4de |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj-art-775600adb09b46cbb3d8f4b7a919a4de2025-08-20T03:32:14ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-06-0115799410.3390/life15070994Improving Upper-Limb Recovery in Patients with Chronic Stroke Using an 8-Week Bilateral Arm-Training DeviceThanyaporn Wongwatcharanon0Pinailug Tantilipikorn Earde1Bunyong Rungroungdouyboon2Patcharee Kooncumchoo3Medical Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, Khlong Luang 12120, ThailandDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Khlong Luang 12120, ThailandDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, Khlong Luang 12120, ThailandDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Khlong Luang 12120, ThailandUpper-limb impairments after stroke significantly affect patients’ quality of life and require effective rehabilitation strategies. Rehabilitation devices play a vital role in enhancing motor recovery. This study evaluated the efficacy of the <i>Arm Booster</i>, a bilateral arm-training device, in improving upper-limb impairment in patients with chronic stroke. Eighteen participants were randomly assigned to two groups: a device group (<i>n</i> = 9), using the <i>Arm Booster</i>; and a conventional physiotherapy group (<i>n</i> = 9). Both groups performed six bilateral upper-limb exercises (32 repetitions each) three times per week for eight weeks. Participants were further classified into mild spasticity (<i>n</i> = 5) and moderate-to-severe spasticity (<i>n</i> = 4) subgroups. The primary outcome was motor impairment, assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE). Secondary outcomes included spasticity, measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and daily functional use of the arm, assessed with the Motor Activity Log (MAL). Both groups showed significant improvements in FMA-UE scores and overall arm movement. The conventional group demonstrated additional gains in hand and wrist function and coordination. Notably, in the moderate-to-severe spasticity subgroup, the device group exhibited improvements in upper-limb movement and a trend toward reduced spasticity. These findings suggest that the Arm Booster may support motor recovery, encourage the use of the affected arm, improve movement control, and provide an efficient means for patients to exercise more frequently on their own.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/994bilateral arm trainingrehabilitation machinestroke |
| spellingShingle | Thanyaporn Wongwatcharanon Pinailug Tantilipikorn Earde Bunyong Rungroungdouyboon Patcharee Kooncumchoo Improving Upper-Limb Recovery in Patients with Chronic Stroke Using an 8-Week Bilateral Arm-Training Device Life bilateral arm training rehabilitation machine stroke |
| title | Improving Upper-Limb Recovery in Patients with Chronic Stroke Using an 8-Week Bilateral Arm-Training Device |
| title_full | Improving Upper-Limb Recovery in Patients with Chronic Stroke Using an 8-Week Bilateral Arm-Training Device |
| title_fullStr | Improving Upper-Limb Recovery in Patients with Chronic Stroke Using an 8-Week Bilateral Arm-Training Device |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving Upper-Limb Recovery in Patients with Chronic Stroke Using an 8-Week Bilateral Arm-Training Device |
| title_short | Improving Upper-Limb Recovery in Patients with Chronic Stroke Using an 8-Week Bilateral Arm-Training Device |
| title_sort | improving upper limb recovery in patients with chronic stroke using an 8 week bilateral arm training device |
| topic | bilateral arm training rehabilitation machine stroke |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/994 |
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