It has been shown that robot-assisted therapy may be considered an effective and reliable method for the delivery of highly repetitive training useful to boost neuroplasticity. Thus, an early, intensive, repetitive and task oriented training could be an ideal strategy to facilitate relearning of motor function and to improve motor function. The ARMEO-S® is a specific upper limb electromedical device mainly used to reduce spasticity and improve muscle force. To date robotic upper limb training has been applied only in patiebts with brain injury and spinal cord lesions. Aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of ARMEO-S in improving upper limb agility in a sample of PD patients, as compared to traditional physiotherapy.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
30
Fifteen patients with Parkinson's Disease will perform ten 45-minute training sessions of the upper limb bilaterally with the Armeo®Spring, an electromedicad device aimed at improving force and coordination in neurologically affected patients. The device was built to sustain the forearm during the upperlimb training and is equipped with a VR screen with which the patient may interact during the playful and motivating rehab.
IRCCS Neurolesi
Messina, Sicily, Italy
RECRUITINGUPDRS rating scale- Section III
To assess whether PD patients may got better results in the motor part of the UPDRS after the UL training
Time frame: 2 months
Nine hole peg test
To evaluate if the patients will get better dexterity after the robotic training
Time frame: 2 months
Upper Limb Fugl-Mayer
to verify whether PD patients may present with an increase in muscle strenght after the treatment.
Time frame: 2 months
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