Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38835062›Full record

ArticleTrials2024

Effects of robot-assisted upper limb training combined with functional electrical stimulation in stroke patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Xu Yang, Wang Fengyi, Chen Yi, Qiu Lin, Lin Yang, Li Xize, Liu Shaxin, Yang Yonghong

Abstract readClinical Trial Protocol
In one paragraph

Article in Trials, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Functional Electrical Stimulation and Stroke Rehabilitation Research: The Critical Role of Sham Control Groups.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy · 2026
    Article
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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

8 authors.

Xu Yang *Rehabilitation Medicine Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, 611135, Sichuan Province, China.
Wang Fengyi *Rehabilitation Medicine Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, 611135, Sichuan Province, China.
Chen YiRehabilitation Medicine Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, 611135, Sichuan Province, China.
Qiu LinRehabilitation Medicine Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, 611135, Sichuan Province, China.
Lin YangRehabilitation Medicine Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, 611135, Sichuan Province, China.
Li XizeRehabilitation Medicine Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, 611135, Sichuan Province, China.
Liu ShaxinRehabilitation Medicine Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, 611135, Sichuan Province, China. liushaxin@scu.edu.cn.
Yang YonghongRehabilitation Medicine Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, 611135, Sichuan Province, China. nicole@scu.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3547-4858

Funding

Major Scientific and Technological Special Project of Guizhou Province 2022YFS0281
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionAbout 17-80% stroke survivors experience the deficit of upper limb function, which strongly influences their independence and quality of life. Robot-assisted training and functional electrical stimulation are commonly used interventions in the rehabilitation of hemiplegia upper extremities, while the effect of their combination remains unclear. The aim of this trial is to explore the effect of robot-assisted upper limb training combined with functional electrical stimulation, in terms of neuromuscular rehabilitation, compared with robot-assisted upper limb training alone.

methodsIndividuals (n = 60) with the first onset of stroke (more than 1 week and less than 1 year after stroke onset) will be considered in the recruitment of this single-blinded, three-arm randomized controlled trial. Participants will be allocated into three groups (robot-assisted training combined with functional electrical stimulation group, robot-assisted training group, and conventional rehabilitation therapies group) with a ratio of 1:1:1. All interventions will be executed for 45 min per session, one session per day, 5 sessions per week for 6 weeks. The neuromuscular function of the upper limb (Fugl-Meyer Assessment of upper extremity), ability of daily life (modified Barthel Index), pain (visual analogue scale), and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) will be assessed at the baseline, at the end of this trial and after 3 months follow-up. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance will be used to compare the outcomes if the data are normally distributed. Simple effects tests will be used for the further exploration of interaction effects by time and group. Scheirer-Ray-Hare test will be used if the data are not satisfied with normal distribution. DISCUSSION: We expect this three-arm randomized controlled trial to explore the effectiveness of robot-assisted training combined with functional electrical stimulation in improving post-stroke upper limb function compared with robot-assisted training alone.

trial registrationEffect of upper limb robot on improving upper limb function after stroke, identifier: ChiCTR2300073279. Registered on 5 July 2023.

Indexed as

Electric Stimulation TherapyQuality of LifeRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicRecovery of FunctionRoboticsStrokeStroke RehabilitationUpper ExtremityActivities of Daily LivingAdultAgedCombined Modality TherapyExercise TherapyFemaleHemiplegiaHumansFunctional electrical stimulationRehabilitationRobot-assisted trainingStrokeUpper limb

Identifiers

PMID38835062
PMCPMC11149248

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Registered trials

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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.