| A stroke is a major cause of long term disabilities both | | | | and reproduce the necessary movements to their |
| in the United Kingdom and the United States of | | | | upper limbs. Studies in the University of California found |
| America. Stroke survivors usually find limited | | | | that patients given robotic therapy developed a 17% |
| movement and weakness in their upper limbs and they | | | | greater range of movement in their hands and wrists |
| have difficulty in grasping and releasing everyday used | | | | than those patients not given the therapy. |
| objects like a pen or a spoon. | | | | These intensive therapies should start as soon as |
| Manual intensive therapies involving a physiotherapist | | | | possible after the occurrence of stroke in order to |
| will take at least an hour per patient per day and | | | | maximise the amount of movement recovery. Tests |
| places huge demands on the resources of the health | | | | carried out by the Brown University on 127 patients |
| authorities to provide such services. | | | | who had suffered a stroke five years earlier, also |
| The good news is that studies by the University of | | | | showed similar improvements. |
| California (Irvine Study) and by the Brown University in | | | | As a result, patients involved in these tests have |
| Rhode Island have found that robotic therapy used in | | | | significantly improved their self-esteem and quality of |
| this process is less tedious for all parties involved and | | | | life as they are able to go about their daily routines |
| may help stroke patients to improve their abilities to | | | | with minimum support from their families and friends. |
| cope with their daily routines. | | | | However, these robots are still some way away from |
| These robots are designed to help patients exercise | | | | full scale use in the United Kingdom. |