Comparative Scoping Review: Robot-Assisted Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Versus High-Income Nations.

OBJECTIVE

To examine robotic interventions for upper limb rehabilitation poststroke, focusing on geographic distribution, stroke chronicity, outcome measures, outcomes of robotic interventions, and publication trends in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with high-income countries (HICs).

DATA SOURCES

Using Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, CINAHL, and PEDro databases were searched for studies on upper extremity rehabilitation with robotics poststroke.

STUDY SELECTION

This review focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2012 and 2024 that examined rehabilitation robots for upper limb impairments caused by stroke. The studies included adults aged ≥18 years in the acute, subacute, or chronic recovery phases. Eligible trials involved using robotic devices, independently or combined with other interventions. Only RCTs with 2 or more arms were considered, and all included studies were published in English.

DATA EXTRACTION

Reviewers independently extracted data on study characteristics, stroke chronicity, outcome measures, outcomes of robotic interventions, and temporal trends.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Of 129 articles meeting the criteria, 107 were from HICs, and 22 were from LMICs. Major contributors from HICs included Italy, Taiwan, and the USA, whereas China was a significant contributor among LMICs. Most studies focused on patients with chronic stroke, with varying assessment tools, the most common being the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Evaluation. Positive outcomes were reported across studies, and recent research activity has increased in both settings.

CONCLUSIONS

This review underscores the expanding research on robotic therapy for upper limb rehabilitation in patients with stroke, primarily from HICs with limited input from low- and middle-income nations. Although positive outcomes were frequently observed, disparities between high-income and low-and middle-income countries were clear. The growing research indicates rising interest and advancements in this domain.