The Impacts of Combining Hand Function With Robot-Assisted Upper-Limb Rehabilitation in Children With Brain Lesions: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the impacts of combining hand function training with robot-assisted upper-limb rehabilitation on upper-limb function, developmental outcomes, and activities of daily living (ADLs) in children with brain lesions. METHODS: This single-subject, multiple-baseline study involved 3 children with brain lesions. During the baseline phase, the participants received conventional occupational therapy. In the intervention phase, hand-assisted activities were combined with robot-assisted upper-limb rehabilitation. Each session was evaluated using the InMotion®ARM system. Upper-limb function, developmental status, and ADLs were evaluated before and after the intervention. Visual analysis was performed, and the difference between preintervention and postintervention assessments was calculated to compare outcomes. RESULTS: All participants demonstrated improvements following the intervention, with average increases of 8.33 points in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity and 17.25 points in the Pediatric Motor Activity Log. Consistent improvements in personal-social development were also observed based on the Korean Developmental Screening Test for Infants and Children, Second Edition. Session-based assessments using InMotion®ARM indicated enhanced aiming accuracy and reduced movement duration across all participants. CONCLUSION: Combining hand function with robot-assisted upper-limb rehabilitation positively affected the upper-limb function, developmental progress, and ADLs in children with brain lesions. Future large-scale studies are warranted to confirm these findings and explore their broader clinical applicability.