Changes in function and spasticity using robot-assisted therapy in pediatric patients

Robot-assisted therapy has been shown to produce long-lasting and replicable increased mobility and decreased spasticity in adults following stroke. Given the plasticity of their nervous system, children should show gains equal or greater than in adults. This paper describes a randomized controlled study of robot-assisted therapy in children comparing active versus passive participation in robot-assisted therapy. Mobility and function were evaluated for each subject before and after therapy. Primary measures were the upper extremity Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (F-M) and the Modified Ashworth Spasticity Scale. Gains were seen for both groups in almost all measures; active participants generally showing greater gains. These results can have wide-reaching implications for pediatric rehabilitation.