While short term effects on upper limb function of stroke patients after training with robotic devices have been studied extensively, long term effects are often not addressed. HoMEcare aRm rehabiLItatioN (MERLIN) is a combination of an unactuated training device using serious games and a telerehabilitation platform in the patient’s home situation. Short term effects showed that upper limb function improved after training with MERLIN. The aim was to determine long term effects on upper limb function and quality of life. Six months after cessation of the 6 week MERLIN training program, the upper limb function and quality of life of 11 chronic stroke patients were assessed. Upper limb function was measured using the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE). EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) was used to measure quality of life. The WMFT, ARAT and EQ-5D did not show significant differences 6 months after the training period compared to directly after training. At 6 months follow-up, FMA-UE results were significantly better than at baseline. Time plots showed a decreasing trend in all tests. Training effects were still present at 6 months follow-up, since arm function seemed similar to directly after training and FMA-UE results were better than at baseline. However, because of the decreasing trend shown in all tests, it is questionable if improvements will be maintained longer than 6 months. Due to the sample size and study design, results should be interpreted with caution. Trial registration This study is registered at the Netherlands Trial Register (NL7535). Registered 18-02-2019, https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/7535

中文翻译：

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家庭护理手臂康复 (MERLIN)：使用非驱动训练设备进行远程康复对中风后上肢功能的长期影响的初步证据

虽然已经广泛研究了机器人设备训练后对中风患者上肢功能的短期影响，但长期影响往往没有得到解决。家庭护理手臂康复 (MERLIN) 是一种使用严肃游戏的非驱动训练设备和患者家中远程康复平台的组合。短期效果表明，使用 MERLIN 进行训练后，上肢功能得到改善。目的是确定对上肢功能和生活质量的长期影响。6 周 MERLIN 训练计划停止后 6 个月，对 11 名慢性中风患者的上肢功能和生活质量进行了评估。使用 Wolf 运动功能测试 (WMFT)、动作研究手臂测试 (ARAT) 和 Fugl-Meyer 评估-上肢 (FMA-UE) 测量上肢功能。EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) 用于衡量生活质量。WMFT、ARAT 和 EQ-5D 在训练后 6 个月与训练后直接相比没有表现出显着差异。在 6 个月的随访中，FMA-UE 结果明显好于基线。时间图在所有测试中都显示出下降趋势。训练效果在 6 个月的随访中仍然存在，因为手臂功能似乎与训练后直接相似，而且 FMA-UE 结果优于基线。但是，由于所有测试中都显示出下降趋势，因此改进是否能维持 6 个月以上是值得怀疑的。由于样本量和研究设计的原因，应谨慎解释结果。试验注册 本研究在荷兰试验注册 (NL7535) 上注册。18-02-2019 注册，https://www.trialregister。