The primary goal of this project is to test the safeness and clinical effectiveness of a novel exoskeleton for the upper limb (Arm Light Exoskeleton Rehab Station, ALEx RS) developed at Wearable Robotics srl, for the force assistance of stroke patients during robotic-rehabilitation. The secondary study aim is to design and test an automatic personalized robot-based upper limb motor rehabilitation protocol targeting the specific kinematic performance of each patient. Finally, the study also aims to define the "neuro-biomechanical state" of the patient and its evolution during the therapy by studying cortical signals and muscular synergies. This information will be used to improve the personalization of the robotic treatment by targeting not only the motor performance but also the cerebral and muscular activity of the patient. The study is longitudinally designed in order to test the safeness and clinical effectiveness of ALEx RS over time, and to monitor the clinical effectiveness of the automatic personalized robotic therapy from the beginning until the end of the treatment. Moreover, in order to estimate the long-term clinical effectiveness of the treatment, the assessment methods proposed in the clinical trial will be repeated one month after the end of the treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
28
ALEx RS is a complete system specifically designed to support the rehabilitation of stroke patients. In particular, this system is equipped with a robotic arm exoskeleton conceived for the force assistance, integrated in a Virtual Reality system that allows implementing rehabilitative exercises highly interactive and engaging for the patients. It is proven that the use of this type of devices in rehabilitation can provide high intensive, repetitive, task specific, and interactive treatment of the impaired arm and an objective and reliable mean for monitoring patients' progress.
ALEx RS is a complete system specifically designed to support the rehabilitation of stroke patients. In particular, this system is equipped with a robotic arm exoskeleton conceived for the force assistance, integrated in a Virtual Reality system that allows implementing rehabilitative exercises highly interactive and engaging for the patients. It is proven that the use of this type of devices in rehabilitation can provide high intensive, repetitive, task specific, and interactive treatment of the impaired arm and an objective and reliable mean for monitoring patients' progress. The movements to be performed by the patient are automatically decided by the exoskeleton.
University Hospital of Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland
Safety evaluated through the number of adverse events
Time frame: 2 years
Efficacy evaluated through Fugl-Meyer
Time frame: 2 years
Efficacy of personalized therapy evaluated through Fugl-Meyer
The secondary outcome of the study is the evaluation of the differences on the outcome for a personalized vs a standard robotic rehabilitation
Time frame: 2 years
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.