Effect of Robot-Assisted Gait Training in Patients with Gait Disturbance Caused by Brain Tumor: a Case Series

ABSTRACT

Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) is beneficial in effectively implementing repetitive, high-intensity gait training. Several studies have been conducted in different fields of RAGT; however, only a few have explored such training practices in patients with brain tumors. We conducted RAGT in 3 patients with primary brain tumors. They were treated with 30 minutes of Morning Walk® training, followed by 1 hour of conventional physiotherapy, 5 times a week for 3 weeks. At the end of RAGT, the outcomes revealed improved scores in all 3 patients on several assessments, such as the 10-meter walk test, Modified Barthel Index, Rivermead Mobility Index, Berg Balance Scale, and Karnofsky Performance Status Scale. However, the level of fatigue (Brief Fatigue Index) increased in all the patients. RAGT accompanied with conventional physiotherapy is beneficial for gait speed, mobility, and functional ambulation, but the level of fatigue is deteriorated at the same time in patients with brain tumors. The time, intensity, and protocol of RAGT accompanied with conventional physiotherapy need to be tailored to the level of fatigue expressed by patients with brain tumors to improving gait disturbances effectively.