Application of arm support training in sub-acute stroke rehabilitation: First results on effectiveness and user experiences

A multi-center randomized clinical trial was performed in 7 Dutch rehabilitation centers, in the context of an implementation project (ROBAR), to compare the effect of an arm support (AS) training device to equally intensive conventional reach training (CON) on recovery of arm-hand function in sub-acute stroke. The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FM) and user experiences of therapists and patients were examined in both groups. An improvement of 10 and 8 points on the FM was found for respectively the CON and AS group. Both therapists and patients reported positive experiences on several aspects of user acceptance. These findings indicate that a low-tech system for arm support results in similar gains in arm function as conventional reach training in equal intensity, and is suitable for application in clinical practice.