Smart Device–Based Therapy on Hand Motor Function Improvement in Stroke Survivors During Rehabilitation: Scoping Review

Background: The prevalence of upper limb impairment ranges from 40% to 50% in the chronic phase of stroke, presenting a significant public health challenge. Although traditional therapy effectively improves hand motor function, it often faces accessibility challenges. Telerehabilitation, particularly smart device–based therapy, provides a scalable and engaging alternative, although its effectiveness still requires further investigation.
Objective: This study aimed to identify smart device–based therapy interventions for improving hand motor function in stroke survivors during rehabilitation and to assess their effectiveness in hand motor function improvement in comparison with traditional therapy methods.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines to identify and evaluate smart device–based therapy interventions aimed at improving hand motor function in stroke survivors. A comprehensive literature search was performed
across multiple databases, including Web of Science, PubMed (MEDLINE), EBSCO Complete, Google Scholar, Science Direct, ClinicalKey, and Scopus. Studies were screened based on predefined inclusion criteria, focusing on clinical trials that investigated the effectiveness of smart device–based rehabilitation approaches. Data extraction was carried out systematically, capturing key study characteristics, intervention types, and outcome measures. The effectiveness of these interventions was
assessed and synthesized to provide a comprehensive overview of their impact on hand motor function recovery in stroke rehabilitation.
Results: A total of 958 studies were identified, of which 17 met the inclusion criteria. The studies encompassed various research designs, including randomized controlled trials (n=9), pilot feasibility studies (n=3), and a comparative nonrandomized trial (n=1). The interventions used diverse digital strategies, including gamified rehabilitation programs (n=14), virtual or mixed reality systems (n=7), Kinect camera or sensor-based approaches (n=6), Jintronix software platforms (n=4), robot-assisted devices (n=3), and tablet- or app-based rehabilitation systems (n=7). Overall, smart device–based therapies were associated with improvements in hand motor function, frequently reaching clinically meaningful thresholds, while also enhancing patient engagement and adherence.
Conclusions: The findings of this scoping study highlight the significant potential of smart device therapies for enhancing hand motor functions among stroke survivors. The development of smart devices is an evolving process, highlighting the need for future studies to assess their long-term effectiveness, optimize intervention designs, and explore their broader application in stroke rehabilitation.