BACKGROUNDRobotic training with high repetitions facilitates upper-limb movements but provides fewer benefits for activities of daily living. Integrating activities of daily living training tasks and mirror therapy into a robot may enhance the functional gains of robotic training.AIMThe aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the task-oriented mirrored upper-limb robotic training on the upper-limb functions and activities of daily living of subacute poststroke patients.DESIGNThis study is a single-blinded, active-controlled pilot study.SETTINGThe study was carried out at rehabilitation outpatient clinic and ward.POPULATIONA total of 32 subacute poststroke patients were enrolled in the study.METHODSThe enrolled patients were allocated into two groups in a ratio of 1:1. The experimental group received 4 weeks of task-oriented mirrored upper-limb robotic training, consisting of five sessions of 30-minute duration, along with 30 minutes of conventional training. The control group only received 60 minutes of conventional training. The outcome measures were the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale for Upper Extremity, Modified Barthel Index, Stroke Self-Efficacy Scale, System Usability Scale, and Quebec User Evaluation with Assistive Technology.RESULTSAll patients completed the full training sessions without significant adverse events related to robotic training. The task-oriented mirrored upper-limb robotic training led to increased Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale for Upper Extremity (difference: 10.38 points, P<0.001) and Modified Barthel Index (difference: 18.38 points, P<0.001) scores, both of which exceeded the minimal clinically important difference. Intergroup analysis showed significantly higher improvements in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale for Upper Extremity total scores, shoulder, wrist, and hand scores; and Modified Barthel Index scores in the experimental group than in conventional training (all P<0.05). Both groups showed significant improvements in Stroke Self-Efficacy Scale scores after the intervention (both P<0.001), but without a statistically significant intergroup difference (P>0.05). Participants in the experimental group scored an average usability perception score of 74.74 (good) and an average satisfaction score of four or more out of five.CONCLUSIONSIn general, task-oriented mirrored upper-limb robotic training appears feasible and safe for subacute poststroke rehabilitation, facilitating the recovery of upper-limb functions and activities of daily living.CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACTTask-oriented mirrored upper-limb robotic training shows promise for future clinical rehabilitation and clinical trials involving subacute poststroke patients.