The Efficacy of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation-Based Robot-Assisted Therapy in Individuals With Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
İzel Demirhan, Ender Ayvat, Fatma Ayvat et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)-based robot-assisted therapy (RAT) on upper extremity motor performance, spasticity, activities of daily living (ADL), and quality of life (QoL) in 39 individuals with stroke. Results indicated that RAT led to significantly greater improvements in various motor performance measures and spasticity compared to conventional therapy alone.
Key findings
- RAT group showed significantly greater improvements in Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Scale compared to control group.
- Decreases in wrist flexor and elbow flexor spasticity were associated with 8.065- and 5.051-fold higher odds of being in the RAT group.
- Significant increases in ACTIVLIM, ABILHAND, and Stroke Impact Scale scores were observed in all groups post-treatment.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that integrating PNF-based robot-assisted therapy into stroke rehabilitation may enhance recovery outcomes, including motor function and quality of life, which are critical for patient independence and overall well-being.