The Impact of MRC Exoskeleton Rehabilitation in Improving Upper Limb Fugl-Meyer Assessment in Stroke Patients

Abstract

Impairment of upper-limb motor function is a prevalent issue that can restrict a patient's capacity to engage in functional activities following a stroke. Robotic devices have been created to enable repetitive and structured motor training, thanks to advancements in rehabilitation technology. The Mechatronics and Robotics Control (MRC) Exoskeleton Rehabilitation device was created to assist in the rehabilitation of upper-limb motor function in post-stroke patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of conventional therapy and MRC exoskeleton rehabilitation therapy in the rehabilitation of the upper limb in stroke patients. Thrity two post-stroke patients were randomly assigned to either the MRC Exoskeleton Rehabilitation group (n=16) or the conventional therapy group (n=16) in this pilot randomized controlled trial. From January to June 2026, the study was implemented. For a period of six weeks, both groups participated in training sessions twice a week. The outcome were Fugl-Meyer Assessment–Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and the Box and Block Test (BBT). Assessments were administered both prior to and subsequent to the six-week intervention. The MRC Exoskeleton Rehabilitation group demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in motor function than the conventional therapy group, as assessed by the FMA-UE. On the other hand, the BBT did not reveal any substantial disparity between the two groups in terms of the enhancement of manual dexterity