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Task-specific rehabilitation of the upper limb can improve function in stroke patients with chronic motor deficits. Recent analysis further suggests that robotic rehabilitation devices may match conventional treatment by a therapist (N Engl J Med 2010; 362:1772). Based on the hypothesis that rehabilitation robotics can provide more-precise feedback and allow finer changes to task structure, there is active research into the development of robotic systems to optimize recovery.
In this randomized, multicenter trial, researchers compared treatment with a complex robotic exoskeleton (38 patients) and with conventional therapy (35 patients). Participants were enrolled at least 6 months after their stroke and had moderate-to-severe deficits. Both …