Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32592282›Full record

SynthesisBrain and behavior2020

Robot-assisted therapy for upper-limb rehabilitation in subacute stroke patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Wai-Tong Chien, Yuen-Yu Chong, Man-Kei Tse, Cheuk-Woon Chien, Ho-Yu Cheng

4 registry-linked trialsOpen access · goldAbstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Brain and behavior, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 4 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 75 papers, 15 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
75citing papers in PubMed, 15 pooled it
9.8field-weighted citation impact, top 2% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT06884553 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2023, after this paper: background citation

Effects of Robot-assistED Rehabilitation Versus OccupatIonal Therapy on the Functional Recovery of the Upper Limb in PatiEnts with Chronic STroke: a Randomized Controlled Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of FlorenceRan2023 to 2025Enrolled72ConditionsChronic StrokeArmsRobotic therapy (Gloreha Sinfonia system), Occupational therapy, Control
NCT07282938 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

Combined Effects of Soft Robotic Hand and Electrical Stimulation on Hand Function in Stroke Survivors

TypeinterventionalSponsorLahore University of Biological and Applied SciencesRan2025 to 2026Enrolled64ConditionsStroke, Cerebro-vascular AccidentArmsSoft Robotic Hand combined with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation along with Task Oriented Training, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation along with Task Oriented Training
NCT07435688 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2024, after this paper: background citation

Comparison of The Effectiveness Of Mirror Therapy And Mirror Mode of a Hand Robot in Upper Extremity Motor Recovery After Stroke

TypeinterventionalSponsorZeynep Lide UzRan2024 to 2024Enrolled30ConditionsStroke, Ischemic, Stroke, CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident)ArmsHand Robot Mirror Mode, Therapy Mirror
NCT07455877 nanot yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Effect of Interactive Games Based Hand Training on Hand Dexterity and Functional Outcome in Patients With Stroke

TypeinterventionalSponsorCairo UniversityRan2026 to 2026Enrolled40ConditionsChronic Stroke PatientsArmsinteractive games, conventional physical therapy
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

75 citing papers in PubMed, 15 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 168 citations in OpenAlex.

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15 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

Wai-Tong ChienThe Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kond, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Yuen-Yu ChongThe Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kond, New Territories, Hong Kong.ORCID 0000-0001-5664-2051
Man-Kei TseThe Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kond, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Cheuk-Woon ChienUniversity of Bradford, Bradford, UK.
Ho-Yu ChengThe Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kond, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Chinese University of Hong Kong · HKUniversity of Bradford · GB

Funding

The Chinese University of Hong KongThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University G-YJ05
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundStroke survivors often experience upper-limb motor deficits and achieve limited motor recovery within six months after the onset of stroke. We aimed to systematically review the effects of robot-assisted therapy (RT) in comparison to usual care on the functional and health outcomes of subacute stroke survivors.

methodsRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2019 were identified from six electronic databases. Pooled estimates of standardized mean differences for five outcomes, including motor control (primary outcome), functional independence, upper extremity performance, muscle tone, and quality of life were derived by random effects meta-analyses. Assessments of risk of bias in the included RCTs and the quality of evidence for every individual outcomes were conducted following the guidelines of the Cochrane Collaboration.

resultsEleven RCTs involving 493 participants were included for review. At post-treatment, the effects of RT when compared to usual care on motor control, functional independence, upper extremity performance, muscle tone, and quality of life were nonsignificant (all ps ranged .16 to .86). The quality of this evidence was generally rated as low-to-moderate. Less than three RCTs assessed the treatment effects beyond post-treatment and the results remained nonsignificant.

conclusionRobot-assisted therapy produced benefits similar, but not significantly superior, to those from usual care for improving functioning and disability in patients diagnosed with stroke within six months. Apart from using head-to-head comparison to determine the effects of RT in subacute stroke survivors, future studies may explore the possibility of conducting noninferiority or equivalence trials, given that the less labor-intensive RT may offer important advantages over currently available standard care, in terms of improved convenience, better adherence, and lower manpower cost.

Indexed as

RoboticsStrokeStroke RehabilitationActivities of Daily LivingHumansMaleUpper Extremitymeta-analysisrehabilitationrobot-assisted therapystrokesub-acute

Identifiers

PMID32592282
PMCPMC7428503
OpenAlexW3037541569

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.