A Review of Robot-Assisted Gait Training in Stroke Patients

ABSTRACT

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.