This review looked at how robotic assisted therapy (RAT) helps adults who have suffered a stroke. The researchers looked at data from 22 different systematic reviews to see how RAT compares to conventional therapy. They specifically looked at how well patients could walk and move their arms.
The review found that patients using robotic assisted therapy showed improvements in gait and upper limb function compared to those receiving traditional therapy. The researchers also looked at the costs of these programs. They found that the cost for upper limb rehabilitation was between US$236.23 and $752.31 per QEO, while gait related rehabilitation cost between US$558.86 and $4,890 per QEO.
While the results are promising, the review notes that many challenges remain for using this technology. These include a lack of available devices, a need for more staff training, and certain rules that make it hard to start these programs. Because the data comes from a variety of different studies, the results should be viewed as a general overview of the current landscape.
