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BACKGROUND	Use of rehabilitation technology , such as ( electro ) mechanical devices or robotics , could partly relieve the increasing strain on stroke rehabilitation caused by an increasing prevalence of stroke .
BACKGROUND	Arm support ( AS ) training showed improvement of unsupported arm function in chronic stroke .
OBJECTIVE	To examine the effect of weight-supported arm training combined with computerized exercises on arm function and capacity , compared with dose-matched conventional reach training in subacute stroke patients .
METHODS	In a single-blind , multicenter , randomized controlled trial , 70 subacute stroke patients received 6 weeks of training with either an AS device combined with computerized exercises or dose-matched conventional training ( CON ) .
METHODS	Arm function was evaluated pretraining and posttraining by Fugl-Meyer assessment ( FM ) , maximal reach distance , Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale ( SULCS ) , and arm pain via Visual Analogue Scale , in addition to perceived motivation by Intrinsic Motivation Inventory posttraining .
RESULTS	FM and SULCS scores and reach distance improved significantly within both groups .
RESULTS	These improvements and experienced pain did not differ between groups .
RESULTS	The AS group reported higher interest/enjoyment during training than the CON group .
CONCLUSIONS	AS training with computerized exercises is as effective as conventional therapy dedicated to the arm to improve arm function and activity in subacute stroke rehabilitation , when applied at the same dose .

