Introduction. In stroke rehabilitation, bilateral upper limb training is gaining ground. As a result, a growing number of mechanical and robotic bilateral upper limb training devices have been proposed. Objective. To provide an overview and qualitative evaluation of the clinical applicability of bilateral upper limb training devices. Methods. Potentially relevant literature was searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases from 1990 onwards. Devices were categorized as mechanical or robotic (according to the PubMed MeSH term of robotics). Results. In total, 6 mechanical and 14 robotic bilateral upper limb training devices were evaluated in terms of mechanical and electromechanical characteristics, supported movement patterns, targeted part and active involvement of the upper limb, training protocols, outcomes of clinical trials, and commercial availability. Conclusion. Initial clinical results are not yet of such caliber that the devices in question and the concepts on which they are based are firmly established. However, the clinical outcomes do not rule out the possibility that the concept of bilateral training and the accompanied devices may provide a useful extension of currently available forms of therapy. To actually demonstrate their (surplus) value, more research with adequate experimental, dose-matched designs, and sufficient statistical power are required.
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机译：介绍。在中风康复中，双侧上肢训练正在普及。结果，已经提出了越来越多的机械和机器人双侧上肢训练装置。目的。提供双侧上肢训练器械临床适用性的概述和定性评估。方法。从1990年开始，在PubMed，Web of Science和Google Scholar数据库中搜索了潜在的相关文献。设备归类为机械或机器人（根据PubMed MeSH机器人技术术语）。结果。总共评估了6台机械设备和14台机器人双侧上肢训练设备的机械和机电特性，支持的运动模式，上肢的目标部位和主动参与，训练方案，临床试验的结果以及商业可用性。结论。最初的临床结果还没有达到这样的水平，以至于无法确定所讨论的设备及其所基于的概念。但是，临床结果并不排除双边训练的概念和随附的器械可能提供当前可用治疗形式的有用扩展。为了实际证明其（剩余）价值，需要进行更多的研究，以提供适当的实验，剂量匹配的设计和足够的统计能力。
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