In Japan, she added, robotic devices are considered clinical tools that are included in the coverage of occupational or physical therapy, so the patient does not pay extra for the training.
The way in which robotic therapy improves impairment is not entirely known, but appears to be related to brain plasticity after insult, Dr. Takahashi said. "We did not capture how the brain is working in our study, but there is some research with functional [MRI] that shows how the brain is recovering. We believe the repetitive exercise is helping to reeducate the brain about how the arm works."
In the United States, a number of similar trials with different robotic platforms are ongoing, and either have been completed or are recruiting patients.
Teijin Pharma Ltd. sponsored the study; Dr. Takahashi reported no financial relationship with the company.
* CORRECTION, 2/25/2011: An earlier version of this story did not correctly identify the type of therapy as occupational therapy. The error has been corrected.