Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Brain plasticity and functional restitution are the theoretical basis of hemiplegia rehabilitation. Rehabilitation instrument is important among approaches for hemiplegia rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate how to effectively apply rehabilitation equipment in hemiplegia rehabilitation by discussing application theory, current condition, efficacy and future development.
METHODS: A computer-based online search of CNKI and Medline database was performed for related articles published between January 1996 and August 2011 with key words “hemiplegia rehabilitation, hemiplegia rehabilitation equipment, rehabilitation engineering, hemiplegia rehabilitation robot” in English and “hemiplegia, hemiplegia rehabilitation, hemiplegia rehabilitation equipment, orthotics, electrostimulation, electro-acupuncture” in Chinese. Repetitive articles and Meta analysis were excluded, and 28 articles were included.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Traditional hemiplegia rehabilitation equipment has been modified in hemiplegia rehabilitation. In addition, multiple functional rehabilitation equipment by combining various approaches, and rehabilitation robot by combining rehabilitation equipment with computer, biofeedback and interest computer game program have been developed. Results showed that hemiplegia rehabilitation equipment can significantly improve recovery speed and quality of affected limb function.