Effects of combining mirror visual feedback with robot-assisted gait training on the lower limb functioning of stroke survivors / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To investigate any effect of combining mirror visual feedback (MVF) training with robot-assisted gait training (RGT) in promoting the recovery of lower limb motor function among stroke survivors.Methods:Sixty stroke survivors were randomly divided into a combined treatment group, an RGT group and a control group, each of 20. In addition to traditional rehabilitation, the RGT group received 30min of RGT 5 days a week for 4 weeks, while the combined treatment group underwent 30min of RGT and also 20min of MVF training with the same frequency and duration. Before and after the treatment, the lower extremities motor functioning and walking ability of all of the patients were assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for the lower extremities (FMA-LE), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC).Results:There were no systematic differences in any of the measurements before the treatment. After the 4 weeks, however, the average FMA-LE, BBS and FAC scores of the combined treatment and RGT groups were significantly better than the control group′s averages, and those of the combined treatment group were significantly superior to the RGT group′s. All of the groups had, however, improved significantly compared with before the treatment.Conclusions:Robot-assisted gait training is more effective in enhancing the motor functioning of the lower extremities and walking ability when it is combined with MVF.

Feasibility of Robot-Assisted Gait Training with an End-Effector Type Device for Various Neurologic Disorders

Robots are being used to assist the recovery of walking ability for patients with neurologic disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and functional improvement of training with robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) using the Morning Walk®, an end-effector type robot using footplates and saddle seat support. A total of 189 individuals (65.1% men, 34.9% women; mean age, 53.2 years; age range: 5–87 years) with brain lesions, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathies, and pediatric patients were involved in this retrospectively registered clinical trial. Each participant performed 30 minutes of RAGT, five times a week, for a total of 24 sessions. Failure was defined as an inability to complete all 24 sessions, and the reasons for discontinuation were analyzed. Parameters of Medical Research Council scales and Functional Ambulation Categories were analyzed before and after RAGT training. Among the 189 patients, 22 (11.6%) failed to complete the RAGT. The reasons included decreased cooperation, musculoskeletal pain, saddle seat discomfort, excessive body-weight support, joint spasticity or restricted joint motion, urinary incontinence from an indwelling urinary catheter, and fatigue. Comparison between the pre- and post-training motor and ambulatory functions showed significant improvement. The result of the study indicates that the Morning Walk® is feasible and safe and useful for functional improvement in patients with various neurologic disordersTRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0003627

Effect of Robot-assisted Gait Training on Lower Limb Motor Function and Gait Ability in Patients with Hemiple-gia after Stroke / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To explore the effect of robot-assisted gait training on the lower limb motor function and gait ability in patients with hemiplegia after stroke. Methods From January, 2015 to October 2016, 60 patients with hemiplegia after stroke were randomly divided into control group (n=30) and experimental group (n=30). Both groups received conventional rehabilitation, while the experimental group was given robot-assisted gait training and the control group was given artificial assisted gait training, 30 minutes a day, five days a week for eight weeks. They were evaluated with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Limb (FMA-LE), muscle strength of hip flexion (L-FORCE/HIP/Flex, FHF) and knee extension (L-FORCE/KNEE/Ext, FKE), Six Minutes Walking Distance and Ten Meters Walking Time before and after training. Results There was no significant difference in general data and all indexes between two groups before training (P>0.05). The scores of all the indexes improved in the experimental group after training (t>2.274, P2.095, P<0.05), except FKE. Conclusion Robot-assisted gait training can effectively improve the lower limb motor function and gait ability of patients with hemiplegia after stroke.

A Review of Robot-Assisted Gait Training in Stroke Patients

While a variety of robot-assisted gait training systems have been widely applied for locomotor rehabilitation in stroke patients, the best supporting evidence for robot-assisted gait training systems remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to provide the best robot-assisted gait training and clinical evidence by comparing the effects of exoskeleton and end-effector type robot-assisted gait training in stroke rehabilitation. The present study underwent a review of the literature to determine the best clinical evidence of the most commonly utilized robot-assisted gait training paradigms (end-effector and exoskeleton types) in stroke gait rehabilitation. The review corroborates the compelling evidence that combined robot-assisted gait training was advantageous in stroke rehabilitation, as it offers additive special therapeutic effects that were not afforded by conventional therapy alone. Most importantly, the robot-assisted gait training paradigm provided more intensive, repetitive, accurate kinematic feedback and symmetrical gait practice, while reducing therapist labor, which is often not affordable in current stroke rehabilitation care. Both the robot-assisted gait training with either the end-effector type or exoskeleton type was beneficial for improving motor recovery, gait function, and balance in stroke patients when it was combined with the conventional physical therapy. The robot-assisted gait training should be used as an augmented gait intervention for stroke population.

Effects of robot-assisted gait training on the lower limb motor functions of hemiplegic stroke patients / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To evaluate the effects of robot-assisted gait training on the lower limb motor functions of in hemiplegic stroke patients.Methods Forty stroke patients with hemiplegia were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group.Both groups were treated with routine rehabilitation therapies for 60 min daily in 6 weeks.The patients in the treatment group were given robot-assisted gait training for 30 min daily for 6 weeks.The lower limb part of Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) , the Ueda Satoshi standardized hemiplegic function scale and the functional ambulation categories (FAC) were used to evaluate the lower limb motor function before and after the sixweeks of therapies.Results There were no significant difference between the two groups before treatment with regard to all the three assessment measurements.After 6 weeks of treatment, both groups significantly improved in terms of the scores with FMA, the grade of Ueda Satoshi standardized hemiplegic function scale and the FAC (P ＜0.05).But the treatment group had significantly greater improvement than the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The robot-assisted gait training can supplement the routine rehabilitation therapies in improving lower limb motor function in stroke patients.

Neuroplasticity Induced by Robot-assisted Gait Training in a Stroke Patient: A case report

In this case study, we investigated the effects of robot-assisted gait training on the plasticity of motor system in a stroke patient using functional MRI. A patient who suffered from the left hemiparesis following the right MCA infarction performed gait training with a robot-assisted gait orthosis. Before and after gait training, motor performances were assessed and functional MRIs were acquired with motor activation task of affected lower limb. After gait training with a robot-assisted orthosis, the patient's motor performances were improved and cortical activities were changed. Activation in the ipsilesional primary sensorimotor cortex was increased and cortical reorganization was induced in a way that nearby regions were recruited for the movement of affected lower limb. The results of this study showed that gait training with a robot-assisted orthosis induced cortical reorganization of the motor network that resulted in enhancement of motor performance of the lower limb.