Effects of reaching-exercise system with motor-assisted unloading device for the upper paretic arm after stroke: a before and after study

INTERVENTION: Exercise using reaching exercise system with an arm unloaded by motor assistance CONDITION: Stroke PRIMARY OUTCOME: Fugl‐Meyer Assessment (FMA),; Brunnstrom Stage (BRS), Stroke Impairment Assessment Set (SIAS), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Reaching ability, Motion analysis INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1) Upper paretic extremity after a new, single stroke 2) Unilateral cerebral hemisphere stoke 3) Twenty four weeks or above duration after stroke onset 4) Brunnstrom stage in upper extremity scored IV and over 5) Ability to sit on the chair for 15 min 6) Affected arm with ability to reach 10 cm both vertically and horizontally without vibration, without electrical stimulation, without unloading the arm (From 1 to 60 times/one minute) 7) Patients without past history such as bone and joint disease, neuromuscular disease and rheumatoid arthritis in the upper extremity