supplementary fig 1.pdf

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide, often resulting in upper limb impairments that hinder daily living activities. While conventional rehabilitation methods focus on motor recovery, recent advancements in robotic rehabilitation offer promising alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hand robot-assisted rehabilitation on functionality, fine motor skills, and daily living activities in patients with acute stroke. Methods: A parallel-group, single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 stroke patients (aged 40–60). Participants were randomly assigned to the Robotic Hand Rehabilitation (RHR) Group or Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NT) Group, both undergoing an 8-week program. Primary outcomes were hand function (ABILHAND) and fine motor skills (NHPT), while secondary outcomes included daily living activities (BI), upper limb disability (DASH), and spasticity (MAS). Assessments were performed pre- and post-treatment. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in all functional parameters except spasticity (p < 0.05). However, the RHR group showed greater improvements in fine motor skills, hand function, and daily living activities compared to the NT group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in spasticity between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that hand robot-assisted rehabilitation is an effective complementary approach in acute stroke rehabilitation, particularly for improving fine motor control and daily living activities. Given its benefits, robotic hand therapy may serve as a valuable adjunct to conventional neurodevelopmental therapy, enhancing motor recovery in post-stroke patients. Further studies are needed to explore its long-term effects and optimal integration strategies.