Robot-assisted therapy for upper limb paresis after stroke: Use of robotic algorithms in advanced practice

BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation of stroke-related upper limb paresis is a major public health issue. OBJECTIVE: Robotic systems have been developed to facilitate neurorehabilitation by providing key elements required to stimulate brain plasticity and motor recovery, namely repetitive, intensive, adaptative training with feedback. Although the positive effect of robot-assisted therapy on motor impairments has been well demonstrated, the effect on functional capacity is less certain. METHOD: This narrative review outlines the principles of robot-assisted therapy for the rehabilitation of post-stroke upper limb paresis. RESULTS: A paradigm is proposed to promote not only recovery of impairment but also function. CONCLUSION: Further studies that would integrate some principles of the paradigm described in this paper are needed.