Efficacy of Advanced Robotic and Virtual Therapy in the Treatment of Acute and Subacute Stroke Patients: a Feasibility Study

Publication Name: Acta Polytechnica Hungarica

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 22

Issue: 10

Page Range: 83-102

Description:

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of advanced robotic therapy, virtual therapy and conventional physiotherapy in the rehabilitation of patients with acute and subacute stroke. In addition, we aim to further demonstrate the importance of an early mobilisation exercise program in the management of acute stroke patients. Participants (first-time ischaemic stroke patients in acute or subacute stages) were randomly divided into three equal groups (n=10 persons/group): a robot-assisted early mobilisation + virtual reality therapy (ROB+VR) group, a robot-assisted early mobilisation + conventional physiotherapy (ROB+FIZ) group, and a conventional physiotherapy (CON) group. Each group performed a 3-week-long training program (1 hour/session, 5 days/week). The results were measured before and after the exercise. The primary outcome measure used was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) which indicates the severity of disability in daily activities and measures the degree of independence of the individual. The secondary outcomes were measured by the EuroQoL 5 dimensions questionnaire 5 levels version (EQ-5D-5L), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Barthel Index (BI), and the 6-minute walking test (6mWT). All the three groups showed improvements in most outcomes. The scores for BI, EQ-5D-5L, and mRS showed significant improvements in quality of life. Comparing the groups, the ROB+VR group showed the greatest improvement in the scores in almost all of the tests. From the test scores, the 6-minute walk test had the highest improvement at the end of the therapy (94.58% improvement). Our results show that early robotic mobilization, followed by a movement program, combined with a virtual reality therapy, significantly improve both the speed and quality of rehabilitation after a stroke.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.12700/APH.22.10.2025.10.6

Authors - 11