Clinical validation of an individualized auto-adaptative serious game for combined cognitive and upper limb motor robotic rehabilitation after stroke.

Background: Intensive rehabilitation through challenging and individualized tasks are recommended to enhance upper limb recovery after stroke. Robot-assisted therapy (RAT) and serious games could be used to enhance functional recovery by providing simultaneous motor and cognitive rehabilitation.

Objective: The aim of this study is to clinically validate the dynamic difficulty adjustment (DDA) mechanism of ROBiGAME, a robot serious game designed for simultaneous rehabilitation of motor impairments and hemispatial neglect.

Performing a shortened version of the Action Research Arm Test in immersive virtual reality to assess post-stroke upper limb activity.

Background: To plan treatment and measure post-stroke recovery, frequent and time-bounded functional assessments are recommended. With increasing needs for neurorehabilitation advances, new technology based methods, such as virtual reality (VR) have emerged. Here, we developed an immersive VR version of the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT-VR) to complement neurorehabilitation.

New technologies promoting active upper limb rehabilitation after stroke: an overview and network meta-analysis.

Introduction: The primary aim of this work was to summarize and compare the effects of active rehabilitation assisted by new technologies (virtual reality [VR], robot-assisted therapy [RAT] and telerehabilitation [TR)) on upper limb motor function and everyday living activity during the subacute and chronic phases of stroke. The secondary aims were to compare the effects of these technologies according to the intervention design (in addition to or in substitution of conventional therapy), the duration of active rehabilitation and the severity of patients' motor impairments.

Evidence Acquisition: Several databases, namely PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane Library, were searched.

Concurrent validity of an immersive virtual reality version of the Box and Block Test to assess manual dexterity among patients with stroke.

Background: After a stroke, experts recommend regular monitoring and kinematic assessments of patients to objectively measure motor recovery. With the rise of new technologies and increasing needs for neurorehabilitation, an interest in virtual reality has emerged. In this context, we have developed an immersive virtual reality version of the Box and Block Test (BBT-VR).

Serious games for upper limb rehabilitation after stroke: a meta-analysis.

Background: Approximately two thirds of stroke survivors maintain upper limb (UL) impairments and few among them attain complete UL recovery 6 months after stroke. Technological progress and gamification of interventions aim for better outcomes and constitute opportunities in self- and tele-rehabilitation.

Objectives: Our objective was to assess the efficacy of serious games, implemented on diverse technological systems, targeting UL recovery after stroke.

Validation of a robot serious game assessment protocol for upper limb motor impairment in children with cerebral palsy.

Background: The ROBiGAME project aims to implement serious games on robots to rehabilitate upper limb (UL) motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Serious game characteristics (target position, level of assistance/resistance, level of force) are typically adapted based on the child's assessment before and continuously during the game (measuring UL working area, kinematics and muscle strength).

Objective: This study developed an UL robotic motor assessment protocol to configure the serious game.

Effectiveness of upper-limb robotic-assisted therapy in the early rehabilitation phase after stroke: A single-blind, randomised, controlled trial.

Background: Upper-limb robotic-assisted therapy (RAT) is promising for stroke rehabilitation, particularly in the early phase. When RAT is provided as partial substitution of conventional therapy, it is expected to be at least as effective or might be more effective than conventional therapy. Assessments have usually been restricted to the first 2 domains of the International classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF).

Development of a robotic upper limb assessment to configure a serious game.

BACKGROUNDROBiGAME project aims to implement serious games on robots to rehabilitate upper limb (UL) in stroke patients. The serious game characteristics (target position, level of assistance/resistance, level of force) are adapted based on the patient's assessment before and continuously during the game (measuring UL working area, kinematics and muscle strength).OBJECTIVETo develop an UL robotic motor assessment protocol to configure the serious game.

Robot Diagnosis Test for Egocentric and Allocentric Hemineglect.

Objective: Patients with hemineglect fail to respond to egocentric stimuli or allocentric parts of stimuli contralateral to the brain lesion. The clinical diagnosis of hemineglect mainly involves evaluation of the egocentric form, while less sensitive standardized tests exist for other forms. Our global aim is to develop an innovative integrative robot measure, the MonAmour test, combining the assessment of egocentric, allocentric and motor hemineglect.

Effectiveness of a single session of dual-transcranial direct current stimulation in combination with upper limb robotic-assisted rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study.

The impact of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is controversial in the neurorehabilitation literature. It has been suggested that tDCS should be combined with other therapy to improve their efficacy. To assess the effectiveness of a single session of upper limb robotic-assisted therapy (RAT) combined with real or sham-tDCS in chronic stroke patients.

Assessment of upper limb spasticity in stroke patients using the robotic device REAplan.

Objective:  To assess the capacity of the robotic device REAplan to measure overall upper limb peak resistance force, as a reflection of upper limb spasticity.

Methods:  Twelve patients with chronic stroke presenting upper limb spasticity were recruited to the study. Patients underwent musculocutaneous motor nerve block to reduce the spasticity of elbow flexor muscles.