Robot-assisted hand training adopting end-effector devices results in an additional reduction of motor impairment in comparison to usual care alone in different stages of stroke recovery. These devices often allow the patient to perform practical, attentive, and visual-spatial tasks in a semi-virtual reality (VR) setting. We aimed to investigate whether the hand end-effector robotic device Amadeo^TM could improve cognitive performance, beyond the motor deficit, as compared to the same amount of occupational treatment focused on the hand. Forty-eight patients (aged 54.3 ± 10.5 years, 62.5% female) affected by either ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke in the chronic phase were enrolled in the study. The experimental group (EG) underwent Amadeo^TM robotic training, while the control group (CG) performed occupational therapy involving the upper limb. Patients were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the rehabilitation protocol using a specific neuropsychological battery, as well as motor function tests. The EG showed greater improvements in different cognitive domains, including attentive abilities and executive functions, as well as in hand motor function, as compared to CG. Our study showed that task-oriented VR-based robotic rehabilitation enhanced not only motor function in the paretic arm but also global and specific cognitive abilities in post-stroke patients. We may argue that the hand robotic plus VR-based training may provide patients with an integration of cognitive and motor skill rehabilitation, thus amplifying the functional outcome achievement.

在中风恢复的不同阶段，与单独的常规护理相比，采用末端执行器装置的机器人辅助手部训练可进一步减少运动障碍。这些设备通常允许患者在半虚拟现实 (VR) 环境中执行实用、专注和视觉空间任务。我们旨在调查手部末端执行器机器人设备 Amadeo ^TM与相同数量的专注于手部的职业治疗相比，是否可以改善认知能力，超越运动缺陷。48 名患有慢性期缺血性或出血性中风的患者（年龄 54.3 ± 10.5 岁，62.5% 女性）参加了该研究。实验组 (EG) 接受了 Amadeo ^TM机器人训练，而对照组 (CG) 进行涉及上肢的职业治疗。在康复方案开始和结束时使用特定的神经心理学电池以及运动功能测试对患者进行评估。与 CG 相比，EG 在不同的认知领域表现出更大的改善，包括注意力和执行功能，以及手部运动功能。我们的研究表明，面向任务的基于 VR 的机器人康复不仅增强了麻痹手臂的运动功能，还增强了中风后患者的整体和特定认知能力。我们可能会争辩说，手动机器人加上基于 VR 的培训可以为患者提供认知和运动技能康复的整合，从而扩大功能结果的实现。