The utilization of robotic technology as a support for rehabilitative nursing care in stroke patients with impaired physical mobility: A scoping review

https://doi.org/10.52235/lp.v7i3.883

Authors

  • Indra Frana Jaya KK Program Studi Spesialis Keperawatan Medikal Bedah, Fakultas Keperawatan, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia; Program Studi Keperawatan, Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Hesti Wira Sriwijaya, Palembang, Sumatera Selatan, Indonesia
  • Aris Citra Wisuda Program Studi Spesialis Keperawatan Medikal Bedah, Fakultas Keperawatan, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia; Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Bina Husada, Palembang, Indonesia
  • M Agung Akbar Departemen Keperawatan Komunitas, Fakultas Ilmu Keperawatan, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
  • Afrida Pratiwi Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Bina Husada, Palembang, Indonesia
  • Agusdiman Saputra Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Bina Husada, Palembang, Indonesia
  • Ahmad Zulfikri Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Bina Husada, Palembang, Indonesia
  • Arif Billah Pangestu Idil Adha Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Bina Husada, Palembang, Indonesia
  • Ayu Andira Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Bina Husada, Palembang, Indonesia
  • Ayu Safitriyana Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Bina Husada, Palembang, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Stroke frequently causes persistent mobility impairment and dependence. Robotic rehabilitation offers intensive, repetitive, and measurable practice, but its integration with rehabilitative nursing care remains insufficiently mapped.

Objective: To map robotic technologies used for adult stroke survivors with impaired physical mobility, summarize functional outcomes, and identify implications and evidence gaps for rehabilitative nursing care.

Methods: A scoping review guided by PRISMA-ScR was conducted. PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Wiley Online Library were searched for peer-reviewed primary studies published in English from January 2019 to May 2026. Eligible studies involved adult stroke survivors, evaluated a robotic rehabilitation technology, and reported mobility- or function-related outcomes. Data were charted and synthesized descriptively.

Results: Twenty-seven studies were charted. Technologies included robot-assisted gait-training systems, lower-limb exoskeletons, end-effector devices, upper-limb robotic systems, robotic hand devices, soft robotic gloves, and socially assistive robots. Reported benefits primarily concerned gait, balance, limb motor function, coordination, activities of daily living, and independence. Findings were heterogeneous, and robotic interventions were not consistently superior to intensive conventional rehabilitation. Nursing relevance centered on readiness and mobility assessment, fall-risk management, monitoring of physiological and activity tolerance, education, motivation, and evaluation of nursing-sensitive functional outcomes. Few studies explicitly evaluated nurses' roles or integration with the nursing process.

Conclusion: Robotic technology is a promising adjunct to interdisciplinary stroke rehabilitation but should not replace conventional therapy or therapeutic human interaction. Nursing-led implementation research is needed to establish safety protocols, competency requirements, workflow models, patient-selection criteria, and nursing-sensitive outcomes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ahn, S., Lee, J., Kim, Y., & Park, J. (2024). Effects of InMotion 2.0 robot-assisted upper limb therapy on upper limb function and activities of daily living in patients with stroke. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(3), 808. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13030808

Akbar, M. A., & Ferdi, R. (2022). Pelayanan Home Care Dalam Meningkatkan Kemandirian Keluarga Merawat Anggota Keluarga Dengan Stroke. Cendekia Medika: Jurnal Stikes Al-Maarif Baturaja, 7(2), 115-123.

Aprile, I., Iacovelli, C., Goffredo, M., Cruciani, A., Galli, M., Simbolotti, C., Pecchioli, C., Padua, L., Galafate, D., Pournajaf, S., & Franceschini, M. (2022). Efficacy of robot-assisted gait training combined with robotic balance training in subacute stroke patients: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(17), 5162. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11175162

Bai, J., & Chen, K. (2025). Advances in nursing care for post-stroke limb dysfunction rehabilitation. Frontiers in Neurology, 16, 1615500. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2025.1615500

Bertani, R., Melegari, C., De Cola, M. C., Bramanti, A., Bramanti, P., & Calabrò, R. S. (2017). Effects of robot-assisted upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Neurological Sciences, 38(9), 1561–1569. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-017-2995-5

Bressi, F., Campagnola, B., Cricenti, L., Santacaterina, F., Miccinilli, S., Di Pino, G., Fiori, F., D’Alonzo, M., Di Lazzaro, V., Ricci, S., Capone, F., Pacilli, A., Sterzi, S., & Bravi, M. (2023). Upper limb home-based robotic rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients: A pilot study. Frontiers in Neurorobotics, 17, 1130770. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbot.2023.1130770

Calabrò, R. S., Naro, A., Russo, M., Leo, A., De Luca, R., Balletta, T., Buda, A., La Rosa, G., Bramanti, P., & Bramanti, A. (2021). The role of robotic gait training in neurorehabilitation: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 89, 272–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2021.04.026

Doğan, Ş. K. (2024). Robot-assisted gait training in stroke. Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 70(3), 293–299. https://doi.org/10.5606/tftrd.2024.15681

Hirano, S., Saitoh, E., Imoto, D., Ii, T., Tsunoda, T., & Otaka, Y. (2024). Effects of robot-assisted gait training using the Welwalk on gait independence for individuals with hemiparetic stroke: An assessor-blinded, multicenter randomized controlled trial. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 21, 79. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01370-5

Hu, M., Liu, Y., Wang, J., Li, Z., & Zhang, X. (2024). Efficacy of robot-assisted gait training on lower extremity function, balance and walking ability in stroke patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 21, 146. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01463-1

Huo, C., Shao, G., Chen, T., Li, W., Wang, J., Xie, H., Wang, Y., Li, Z., Zheng, P., & Li, L. (2024). Effectiveness of unilateral lower-limb exoskeleton robot on balance and gait recovery and neuroplasticity in patients with subacute stroke: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 21, 213. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01493-9

Kato, N., Sano, Y., Imai, T., & Otaka, Y. (2025). Effects of robot-assisted gait training within 1 week after stroke onset on degree of gait independence in individuals with hemiparesis: A propensity score-matched analysis in a single-center cohort study. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01581-4

Kim, H. Y., Shin, J. H., Yang, S. P., Shin, M. A., & Lee, S. H. (2019). Robot-assisted gait training for balance and lower extremity function in patients with infratentorial stroke: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 16, 99. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-019-0553-5

Ko, H., Park, J., Kim, Y., & Lee, S. (2023). Effects of soft robotic glove training on motor recovery and functional ability in patients after stroke. Brain Sciences, 13(6), 900. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060900

Lee, J., Kim, D. Y., Lee, S. H., Kim, J. H., Lim, K. B., & Yoo, J. (2023). End-effector lower limb robot-assisted gait training effects in subacute stroke patients: A randomized controlled pilot trial. Medicine, 102(42), e35568. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000035568

Lee, J. H., Lee, S. H., & Kim, Y. H. (2025). Effectiveness of robot-assisted gait training in stroke rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(13), 4809. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14134809

Lee, S. H., Park, G., Cho, D. Y., Kim, H. Y., Lee, J. Y., Kim, S., Park, S. B., Shin, J. H., & Yoo, J. S. (2022). Effects of a lower limb rehabilitation robot with various training modes in patients with stroke: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine, 101(44), e31590. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000031590

Lin, Y. N., Huang, S. W., Kuan, Y. C., Chen, H. C., Jian, W. S., & Lin, L. F. (2022). Hybrid robot-assisted gait training for motor function in subacute stroke: A single-blind randomized controlled trial. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 19, 99. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-022-01076-6

Lo, K., Stephenson, M., & Lockwood, C. (2017). Effectiveness of robotic assisted rehabilitation for mobility and functional ability in adult stroke patients: A systematic review. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 15(12), 3049–3091. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-003456

Loro, A., Diaz, A. B., & Gassert, R. (2023). Robotic technologies for upper limb neurorehabilitation: Current status and future directions. Current Opinion in Neurology, 36(6), 596–604. https://doi.org/10.1097/WCO.0000000000001219

Ma, D., Wang, Y., & Zhang, X. (2022). Robot-assisted bimanual training improves hand function in patients with subacute stroke. Frontiers in Neurology, 13, 884261. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.884261

Mehrholz, J., Thomas, S., Kugler, J., Pohl, M., & Elsner, B. (2020). Electromechanical-assisted training for walking after stroke. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020(10), CD006185. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006185.pub5

Meng, G., Meng, X., Tan, Y., Yu, J., Jin, A., Zhao, Y., Liu, X., & Zhao, J. (2022). Effect of early integrated robot-assisted gait training on motor function and balance in patients with acute stroke. Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders, 15, 17562864221123195. https://doi.org/10.1177/17562864221123195

Molteni, F., Gasperini, G., Cannaviello, G., & Guanziroli, E. (2021). Exoskeleton and end-effector robots for upper and lower limbs rehabilitation: Narrative review. PM&R, 13(S1), S174–S188. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.12586

Morone, G., Paolucci, S., Cherubini, A., De Angelis, D., Venturiero, V., Coiro, P., & Iosa, M. (2020). Robot-assisted gait training for stroke patients: Current state of the art and perspectives of robotics. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 16, 1303–1311. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S197852

Morone, G., Palomba, A., Martino Cinnera, A., Agostini, M., Aprile, I., Arienti, C., Paci, M., Casanova, E., Marino, D., La Rosa, G., Bressi, F., Sterzi, S., Gandolfi, M., & Paolucci, S. (2021). Systematic review of guidelines to identify recommendations for upper limb robotic rehabilitation after stroke. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 57(2), 238–245. https://doi.org/10.23736/S1973-9087.21.06625-1

Ogino, Y., Kanata, Y., Uegaki, R., Yamaguchi, T., Morisaki, K., Nakano, S., & Domen, K. (2020). Improving abnormal gait patterns by using a gait exercise assist robot (GEAR) in chronic stroke subjects: A randomized, controlled, pilot trial. Gait & Posture, 82, 45–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.07.017

Qian, J., Liang, C., Liu, R., Yu, J., Yang, T., & Bai, D. (2025). Combination of robot-assisted glove and mirror therapy improves upper limb motor function in subacute stroke patients: A randomized controlled pilot study. Frontiers in Neurology, 16, 1602896. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2025.1602896

Ranzani, R., Lambercy, O., Metzger, J. C., Califfi, A., Regazzi, S., Dinacci, D., Petrillo, C., Rossi, P., Conti, F. M., & Gassert, R. (2020). Neurocognitive robot-assisted rehabilitation of hand function: A randomized control trial on motor recovery in subacute stroke. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 17, 115. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-020-00746-7

Rodgers, H., Bosomworth, H., Krebs, H. I., van Wijck, F., Howel, D., Wilson, N., Aird, L., Alvarado, N., Andole, S., Cohen, D. L., Dawson, J., Fernandez-Garcia, C., Finch, T., Ford, G. A., Francis, R., Hogg, S., Hughes, N., Price, C. I. M., Ternent, L., & Shaw, L. (2019). Robot assisted training for the upper limb after stroke (RATULS): A multicentre randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 394(10192), 51–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31055-4

Stephan, K. M., & Hesse, S. (2021). Mobility after stroke: Relearning to walk. In T. Platz (Ed.), Clinical Pathways in Stroke Rehabilitation: Evidence-based Clinical Practice Recommendations (pp. 317–343). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58505-1_15

Su, T., Wang, H., Zhang, Y., & Li, J. (2024). Effect of upper robot-assisted training on upper limb motor function and activities of daily living after stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain and Behavior, 14, e70117. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70117

Sujati, N. K., Rustiati, N., Supangat, S., & Akbar, M. A. (2023). Pengaruh Pelatihan Range of Motion (ROM) pada Caregiver terhadap Kemandirian Activity of Daily Living Pasien Pasca Stroke. Dunia Keperawatan: Jurnal Keperawatan dan Kesehatan, 11(1), 28-35.

Tay, S. S., Zhang, F., Visperas, C. A., Koh, X. H., Lau, B., & Neo, J. R. E. (2024). Robot-mediated impairment-oriented and task-specific training on upper limb post stroke: Feasibility and preliminary effects on physical function and quality of life. Frontiers in Neurology, 15, 1415773. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1415773

Thimabut, W., Piyachat, P., & Manimmanakorn, N. (2022). Effectiveness of a soft robotic glove to assist hand function in stroke patients: A cross-sectional pilot study. Rehabilitation Research and Practice, 2022, 3738219. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3738219

Wang, H., Chen, Y., Liu, X., & Zhang, L. (2025). Efficacy of robot-assisted training on upper limb motor function and activities of daily living in patients with stroke. Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 7(1), 100397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arrct.2024.100397

Wang, X., Liu, Y., Zhang, J., Chen, H., & Li, Q. (2025). Upper-limb robot-assisted therapy combined with pneumatic glove training for young and middle-aged stroke patients: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01785-8

Xie, Y., Zhang, X., Wang, L., Chen, Y., & Liu, H. (2023). Effects of soft robotic exoskeleton-assisted gait training on walking speed, endurance, and motor recovery in stroke patients. Frontiers in Neurology, 14, 1296102. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1296102

Zhang, Y., Li, Y., Wang, J., Chen, X., & Liu, Y. (2024). Exoskeleton rehabilitation robot training for balance and lower limb function in sub-acute stroke patients: A pilot, randomized controlled trial. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 21, 91. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01391-0

Downloads

Published

2026-09-01

How to Cite

KK, I. F. J., Wisuda, A. C., Akbar, M. A., Pratiwi, A., Saputra, A., Zulfikri, A., … Safitriyana, A. (2026). The utilization of robotic technology as a support for rehabilitative nursing care in stroke patients with impaired physical mobility: A scoping review. Lentera Perawat, 7(3), 761–770. https://doi.org/10.52235/lp.v7i3.883

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 3 (2026): July - September

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Indra Frana Jaya KK, Aris Citra Wisuda, M Agung Akbar, Afrida Pratiwi, Agusdiman Saputra, Ahmad Zulfikri, Arif Billah Pangestu Idil Adha, Ayu Andira, Ayu Safitriyana

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.