ABSTRACT
Background /Aim: Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability worldwide. Recently, notable interest in robotics systems as a tool to decrease the strain on physical therapists while improving the accuracy and consistency of the therapy as stroke survival rates and the cost of living has increased. This study systematically assessed robotics intervention impact on functional recovery of stroke survivors.
Methods: The search for articles was conducted using the electronic databases such as Cochrane Library, MEDLINE via OVID, PEDro, Web of Science of science core collections, African Journals Online (AJOL), CINAHL via Ebscohost and EMBASE from January 2000 to January 2024 for studies that examined the effectiveness of robotics on functional recovery in stroke survivors’ rehabilitation. Inclusion criteria: Randomized controlled trials, participants aged 18 years and above, robots use in stroke rehabilitation and only articles published in English language. Quality appraisal was carried out using the Physiotherapy evidence database (PEDRO) tool for randomized controlled trials. A narrative synthesis was used to present the findings.
Result: 51 articles were included in this review. 48 assessed motor, 18 for balance, 30 assessed ADL, 14 for QOL, 3 assessed for depression and anxiety one. Articles in which robotics was seen to be more effective than other forms of therapies includes 21 for motor function, 4 for balance, 13 for ADL, 4 for QOL, While for depression and anxiety it was statistically insignificant. Most studies had High quality scores (92.16) and the rest reporting moderates quality scores (7.84). Based on study quality and sample size 5.88% of the included studies had Level I evidence and Level II evidence had 94.12%. With recovery noted in acute and sub-acute stage of stroke.
Conclusion: Robotics indeed improves functional recovery but more effective in the acute and sub-acute stage of stroke.
Registration: A review protocol was developed and registered with the PROSPERO database, with the ID CRD42024514084.
Keywords: Stroke, Robotics, Rehabilitation.
