Authors: Turolla, Andrea | Kiper, Pawel | Mazzarotto, Deborah | Cecchi, Francesca | Colucci, Mariele | D’Avenio, Giuseppe | Facciorusso, Salvatore | Gatti, Roberto | Giansanti, Daniele | Iosa, Marco | Bonaiuti, Donatella | Boldrini, Paolo | Mazzoleni, Stefano | Posteraro, Federico | Benanti, Paolo | Castelli, Enrico | Draicchio, Francesco | Falabella, Vincenzo | Galeri, Silvia | Gimigliano, Francesca | Grigioni, Mauro | Mazzon, Stefano | Morone, Giovanni | Petrarca, Maurizio | Picelli, Alessandro | Senatore, Michele | Turchetti, Giuseppe | Molteni, Franco
Article Type: Review Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Robot-based treatments are developing in neurorehabilitation settings. Recently, the Italian National Health Systems recognized robot-based rehabilitation as a refundable service. Thus, the Italian neurorehabilitation community promoted a national consensus on this topic. OBJECTIVE: To conceptualize undisclosed perspectives for research and applications of robotics for neurorehabilitation, based on a qualitative synthesis of reference theoretical models. METHODS: A scoping review was carried out based on a specific question from the consensus Jury. A foreground search strategy was developed on theoretical models (context) of robot-based rehabilitation (exposure), in neurological patients (population). PubMed and EMBASE® databases were searched and studies on theoretical models …of motor control, neurobiology of recovery, human-robot interaction and economic sustainability were included, while experimental studies not aimed to investigate theoretical frameworks, or considering prosthetics, were excluded. RESULTS: Overall, 3699 records were screened and finally 9 papers included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. According to the population investigated, structured information on theoretical models and indications for future research was summarized in a synoptic table. CONCLUSION: The main indication from the Italian consensus on robotics in neurorehabilitation is the priority to design research studies aimed to investigate the role of robotic and electromechanical devices in promoting neuroplasticity. Show more
Keywords: Robot-assisted rehabilitation, theoretical models, neurorehabilitation, Consensus Conference
DOI: 10.3233/NRE-220160
Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 51, no. 4, pp. 681-691, 2022
Authors: Straudi, Sofia | Baluardo, Ludovica | Arienti, Chiara | Bozzolan, Michela | Lazzarini, Stefano G. | Agostini, Michela | Aprile, Irene | Paci, Matteo | Casanova, Emanuela | Marino, Dario | La Rosa, Giuseppe | Bressi, Federica | Sterzi, Silvia | Giansanti, Daniele | Perrero, Luca | Battistini, Alberto | Miccinilli, Sandra | Filoni, Serena | Sicari, Monica | Petrozzino, Salvatore | Solaro, Claudio Marcello | Gargano, Stefano | Benanti, Paolo | Boldrini, Paolo | Bonaiuti, Donatella | Castelli, Enrico | Draicchio, Francesco | Falabella, Vincenzo | Galeri, Silvia | Gimigliano, Francesca | Grigioni, Mauro | Mazzoleni, Stefano | Mazzon, Stefano | Molteni, Franco | Petrarca, Maurizio | Picelli, Alessandro | Posteraro, Federico | Senatore, Michele | Turchetti, Giuseppe | Morone, Giovanni
Article Type: Review Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted arm therapy (RAT) has been used mainly in stroke rehabilitation in the last 20 years with rising expectations and growing evidence summarized in systematic reviews (SRs). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to provide an overview of SRs about the effectiveness, within the ICF domains, and safety of RAT in the rehabilitation of adult with stroke compared to other treatments. METHODS: The search strategy was conducted using search strings adapted explicitly for each database. A screening base on title and abstract was realized to find all the potentially relevant studies. The methodological quality of the included SRs …was assessed using AMSTAR-2. A pre-determined standardized form was used to realize the data extraction. RESULTS: 18 SRs were included in this overview. Generally, positive effects from the RAT were found for motor function and muscle strength, whereas there is no agreement for muscle tone effects. No effect was found for pain, and only a SR reported the positive impact of RAT in daily living activity. CONCLUSION: RAT can be considered a valuable option to increase motor function and muscle strength after stroke. However, the poor quality of most of the included SRs could limit the certainty around the results. Show more
Keywords: Stroke, arm rehabilitation, robot-assisted arm therapy, end-effector devices, exoskeleton devices
DOI: 10.3233/NRE-220027
Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 51, no. 4, pp. 559-576, 2022
Authors: Bressi, Federica | Cricenti, Laura | Campagnola, Benedetta | Bravi, Marco | Miccinilli, Sandra | Santacaterina, Fabio | Sterzi, Silvia | Straudi, Sofia | Agostini, Michela | Paci, Matteo | Casanova, Emanuela | Marino, Dario | La Rosa, Giuseppe | Giansanti, Daniele | Perrero, Luca | Battistini, Alberto | Filoni, Serena | Sicari, Monica | Petrozzino, Salvatore | Solaro, Claudio Marcello | Gargano, Stefano | Benanti, Paolo | Boldrini, Paolo | Bonaiuti, Donatella | Castelli, Enrico | Draicchio, Francesco | Falabella, Vincenzo | Galeri, Silvia | Gimigliano, Francesca | Grigioni, Mauro | Mazzoleni, Stefano | Mazzon, Stefano | Molteni, Franco | Petrarca, Maurizio | Picelli, Alessandro | Posteraro, Federico | Senatore, Michele | Turchetti, Giuseppe | Morone, Giovanni | Gallotti, Marco | Germanotta, Marco | Aprile, Irene
Article Type: Review Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Robotic therapy (RT) has been internationally recognized for the motor rehabilitation of the upper limb. Although it seems that RT can stimulate and promote neuroplasticity, the effectiveness of robotics in restoring cognitive deficits has been considered only in a few recent studies. OBJECTIVE: To verify whether, in the current state of the literature, cognitive measures are used as inclusion or exclusion criteria and/or outcomes measures in robotic upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients. METHODS: The systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies eligible were identified through PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science from inception to March 2021. RESULTS: …Eighty-one studies were considered in this systematic review. Seventy-three studies have at least a cognitive inclusion or exclusion criteria, while only seven studies assessed cognitive outcomes. CONCLUSION: Despite the high presence of cognitive instruments used for inclusion/exclusion criteria their heterogeneity did not allow the identification of a guideline for the evaluation of patients in different stroke stages. Therefore, although the heterogeneity and the low percentage of studies that included cognitive outcomes, seemed that the latter were positively influenced by RT in post-stroke rehabilitation. Future larger RCTs are needed to outline which cognitive scales are most suitable and their cut-off, as well as what cognitive outcome measures to use in the various stages of post-stroke rehabilitation. Show more
Keywords: Stroke, rehabilitation, cognitive outcome, robotic, upper limb, robotic rehabilitation, systematic review
DOI: 10.3233/NRE-220149
Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 51, no. 4, pp. 541-558, 2022
