Is cognition considered in post-stroke upper limb robot-assisted therapy trials? A brief systematic review

Abstract

The aim of this systematic review was, first, to determine whether or not individuals with cognitive deficits after stroke were enrolled in trials that investigated upper limb robot-assisted therapy effectiveness, and, second, whether these trials measured cognitive outcomes. We retrieved 6 relevant systematic reviews covering, altogether, 66 articles and 2214 participants. Among these 66 clinical trials, only 10 (15%) enrolled stroke participants with impaired cognition, whereas 50 (76%) excluded those with impaired cognition. The remaining six trials (9%) were classified as unclear as they either excluded individuals unable to understand simple instructions or did not specify if those with cognitive disorders were included. Furthermore, only 5 trials (8%) used cognitive measures as outcomes. This review highlights a lack of consideration for individuals with cognitive impairments in upper limb robotic trials after stroke. However, cognition is important for complex motor relearning processes and should not be ignored.