Open AccessEfficacy Assessment of Upper Limb Home-Based Exercises Using a Prototype Exercise Robot for Continuous Passive Movement Among Individuals with Paresis in the Long-Term Follow-Up: Preliminary Report
Author(s) -
Bartosz Wnuk,
Damian Ziaja,
Marcin Banyś
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
rehabilitacja medyczna
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.108
H-Index - 7
eISSN - 1896-3250
pISSN - 1427-9622
DOI - 10.5604/01.3001.0015.7145
Subject(s) - upper limb , physical medicine and rehabilitation , paresis , physical therapy , medicine , range of motion , activities of daily living , rehabilitation , surgery
Home exercises are a promising alternative to outpatient care or in-hospital exercise programmes. The forms of exercises with the use of robotic devices is constantly developing, and their positive effects have been well-documented.Research objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of upper limb home-based exercises with the use of the “Best Arm” robot following the onset of diseases causing spastic paresis in long-term observation.Materials and methods: The study comprised 40 participants at an average age of 58.73 ±16.80. For a period of 8 months, training of the limb with paresis using the “Best Arm” device was carried out to test joint mobility, hand grip strength, and to measure the circumference of the forearm and upper arm.Results: Statistical analysis shows a significant change in active and passive range of motion, as well as muscle strength after an 8-month intervention period in the group under study.Conclusions: Home-based exercises using a prototype of the “Best Arm” device for exercising the upper limb with paresis have had a moderate effect on improving range of motion and muscle strength. However, these exercises did not significantly improve muscle tone or the functional capabilities of the upper limb.