Investigation of therapeutic effects of wearable robotic gloves on improving hand function in stroke patients: A systematic review

Background: Over the past decades, wearable robotic gloves due to their positive features are used by clinicians to improve motor function in the upper extremity. This systematic review aims to evaluate the studies that investigated the therapeutic effects of wearable robotic gloves to improve hand function in stroke patients. Methods: The most related databases including MEDLINE (PubMed), ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, IEEE, and Google Scholar were systematically searched and studies were collected up to September 2021. The methodological quality assessment was done using an adapted version of the Downs and Black checklist. Results: Of the 2674 articles searched, 5 studies were recognized as being relevant in this systematic review. The methodological quality of all included studies was between 7 to 10 points of adapted 12-point score of Downs and Black checklist. All studies concluded that the introduced robotic device had a good therapeutic effect on investigated patients' hand function. The studies had limitations in terms of the level of evidence, sample size, stroke patient groups, and therapeutic process. Conclusion: There is no standard approach with definite intervention timing to evaluate the effect of such devices. Therefore, more comprehensive studies are needed to confirm the therapeutic effects of wearable robotic gloves on improving hand function after a stroke.