2.1. Measurement
hand dynamometer
Several measurement tools were used to assess functional physical ability (Berg scale, Tinetti scale, six-minute walking test (6MWT)), muscle strength (isokinetic muscle force of elbow flexors and extensors, hand grip strength (GS)), and independence in activities of daily living (Barthel Index, Functional Independence Measure).The Berg scale is used to assess balance and measures the static and dynamic balance using 14 motor tasks. Each task is scored from 0 to 4, where 0 means that the subject is not able to perform the task, and 4 is scored when the subject performed the task in the best way assigned to the task. The maximum total score is 56 points, and it indicates that the patient is fully independent in ambulation [The isokinetic muscle force test of elbow flexors and extensors in the dominant hand was performed on the rehabilitation robot. Patients were seated in a chair (dominant side toward the robot) with a straight back, hips and knees in 90 degrees of flexion, and feet on the floor. The dominant forearm was fixed by two straps and with the hand gripping a handle. The axis of the elbow was aligned with the axis of the dynamometer (The HGS test was performed for the dominant hand using the JAMAR hydraulic hand dynamometer (Sammons Preston Rolyan, Bolingbrook, IL, USA). The test was performed in accordance with the gold standard of the American Society of Hand Therapists [The Barthel Index is a scale used to assess independence and the need for assistance in performing activities related to toileting, sphincter control, transferring to and from a wheelchair, and ambulation [