Improved motor performance in chronic spinal cord injury following upper-limb robotic training

This study investigates whether robotic training can improve upper limb movement in people with long-term spinal cord injuries. The goal was to see if this type of training is safe, doable, and effective for improving motor skills. Ten participants with chronic tetraplegia resulting from spinal cord injuries participated in a six-week training program using a wrist robot. The robot helped them practice specific wrist movements. The results showed that the robotic training led to improvements in how smoothly and accurately the participants could move their wrists, suggesting that this method could be a useful addition to rehabilitation programs.

• 1
  Statistically significant improvements were found in motor performance kinematics, specifically in aim and smoothness of movement, following the robotic training.
• 2
  The study found no adverse effects during or after the robotic training, indicating that it is a safe intervention for individuals with chronic SCI.
• 3
  No significant changes were observed in upper-extremity muscle strength, corticospinal excitability, pain levels, or spasticity after the robotic training.