Preliminary Assessment of Novel Upper Extremity Robotic Rehabilitation Tool on Upper Extremity Motor Control in Individuals with Chronic Neurologic Injuries: A Case Series Study

Research Objectives: To investigate feasibility, safety, and clinical outcomes in individuals with chronic neurologic injuries with the use of the Harmony ScapuloHumeral Rhythm robotic device.

Design: Case Series

Setting: Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic

Participants: The first three individuals with chronic neurologic injuries enrolled in an ongoing clinic research project were assessed: one with stroke, one with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and one with Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS).

Interventions: The Harmony ScapuloHumeral Rhythm (SHR) robotic is a therapeutic robotic device to facilitate upper extremity motor return, while providing adjustable parameters for speed, amount of assistance, and body weight support. The device allows for full upper extremity movement, including scapular movement, and encourages appropriate scapulo-thoracic rhythm. Participants underwent 8-10 sessions, each including 40 minutes of physical therapy incorporating the SHR device. During the sessions, participants utilized 3 different SHR treatment modes: predefined exercise (passive or active-assisted), consisting of pre-programmed movement patterns; bilateral sync (passive or active-assisted) where the unaffected upper extremity drives the affected upper extremity’s movement; and active freeform (active or active-assisted), where the participant moves both arms freely with machine support and adjustable assist level.

Main Outcome Measures: Assessments included: a 10-point Lykert pain scale; goniometer-measured active range of motion (ROM) consisting of shoulder flexion and abduction and elbow flexion and extension; and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for all upper extremity (UE) joints. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention.

Results: For stroke-1, active ROM increased by 85º for shoulder flexion, 75º for abduction, 10º for elbow flexion, 55º for extension, and total MAS decreased from 3 to 1 for all joints in the affected UE. For TBI-1, active ROM increased by 6º for right UE shoulder flexion and 10º for left UE elbow extension and total MAS decreased 8 to 4 for left UE and 18 to 15 for right UE. For GBS-1, total active ROM increased by 1º for right UE and 5º for left UE shoulder flexion, 16º for left UE elbow extension, and no change in MAS because no spasticity reported. Only GBS-1 reported average pain with a decrease from 4/10 to 3/10 after intervention.

Conclusions: The Harmony SHR demonstrates promise in the treatment of persistent upper extremity dysfunction after neurologic injury. Data collection is ongoing, and the results of this pilot study will be used to develop a larger proposal assessing clinical efficacy. Future exploration should assess the ability to limit maladaptive plasticity and secondary complications associated with long-term decreased upper extremity impairment.

Author(s) Disclosures: Nothing to Disclose.