Effects of Robot-Assisted Gait Training on Cardiopulmonary Fitness in Subacute Stroke Patients

Background and Objectives: Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) could be a rehabilitation option for patients after experiencing a stroke. This study aims to determine the sex-related response to robot-assisted gait training in a cohort of subacute stroke patients considering mixed results previously reported. Materials and Methods: In this study, 236 participants (145 males, 91 females) were admitted to a rehabilitation facility after experiencing a stroke and performed RAGT within a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Functional Ambulatory Category (FAC) were assessed at admission and discharge to determine sex-related outcomes. Results: At the baseline, no significant difference among sexes was observed. At the end of rehabilitation, both males and females exhibited significant improvements in FIM (71% of males and 80% of females reaching the MCID cut-off value) and FAC (∆score: men 1.9 ± 1.0; women 2.1 ± 1.1). A more remarkable improvement was observed in women of the whole population during the study, but statistical significance was not reached. When analysing the FAC variations with respect to the total number of RAGT sessions, a more significant improvement was observed in women than men (p = 0.025). Conclusion: In conclusion, among subacute stroke patients, benefits were observed following RAGT during a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program in both sexes. A greater significant recovery for women with an ischemic stroke or concerning the number of sessions attended was also highlighted. The use of gait robotics for female patients may favour a selective functional recovery after stroke.

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Clinical Characteristics of Proper Robot-Assisted Gait Training Group in Non-ambulatory Subacute Stroke Patients

Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine ◽

10.5535/arm.2016.40.2.183 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 183 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Soo Jeong Kim ◽

Hye Jin Lee ◽

Seung Won Hwang ◽

Hannah Pyo ◽

Sung Phil Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Training Group ◽

Gait Training ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Robot Assisted ◽

Subacute Stroke

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Clinical Efficacy of a New Robot-assisted Gait Training System for Acute Stroke Patients

Journal of Medical and Biological Engineering ◽

10.1007/s40846-020-00590-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Andy Chien ◽

Fei-Chun Chang ◽

Nai-Hsin Meng ◽

Pei-Yu Yang ◽

Ching Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sleep Quality ◽

Acute Stroke ◽

Quality Index ◽

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ◽

Gait Training ◽

Training System ◽

Control Group ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Robot Assisted ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Purpose Robot-assisted gait rehabilitation has been proposed as a plausible supplementary rehabilitation strategy in stroke rehabilitation in the last decade. However, its exact benefit over traditional rehabilitation remain sparse and unclear. It is therefore the purpose of the current study to comparatively investigate the clinical benefits of the additional robot-assisted training in acute stroke patients compared to standard hospital rehabilitation alone. Methods Ninety acute stroke patients (< 3 month) were recruited. All participants received the standard hospital neurorehabilitation comprises 45–60 min sessions daily for 3 weeks. Sixty patients also received an additional 30 min of robot-assisted gait training with the HIWIN MRG-P100 gait training system after each of the standard neurorehabilitation session. Outcome measures included: 1. Berg Balance Scale (BBS); 2. Brunnstrom Stage; 3. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and 4. Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire (TDQ) which were assessed pre-treatment and then after every five training sessions. Results Both groups demonstrated significant improvement pre- and post-treatment for the BBS (robotic group p = 0.023; control group p = 0.033) but no significant difference (p > 0.1) between the groups were found. However, the robotic training group had more participants demonstrating larger BBS points of improvement as well as greater Brunnstrom stage of improvement, when compared to the control group. No significant within and between group statistical differences (p > 0.3) were found for Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire. Conclusion The addition of robotic gait training on top of standard hospital neurorehabilitation for acute stroke patients appear to produce a slightly greater improvement in clinical functional outcomes, which is not transferred to psychological status.

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The Effectiveness of Locomotor Therapy Using Robotic-assisted Gait Training in Subacute Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PM&R ◽

10.1016/j.pmrj.2009.08.004 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. S99-S99 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Zeev Meiner ◽

Iris Fisher ◽

Michal Katz-Leurer ◽

Martin Neeb ◽

Anna Sajin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Gait Training ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Robotic Assisted ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Subacute Stroke

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The effect of robot-assisted gait training on cortical activation in stroke patients: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

Neurorehabilitation ◽

10.3233/nre-210034 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Kyeong Joo Song ◽

Min Ho Chun ◽

Junekyung Lee ◽

Changmin Lee

Keyword(s):

Gait Speed ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Gait Training ◽

Berg Balance Scale ◽

Cortical Activation ◽

Control Group ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Robot Assisted ◽

Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the robot–assisted gait training on cortical activation and functional outcomes in stroke patients. METHODS: The patients were randomly assigned: training with Morning Walk® (Morning Walk group; n = 30); conventional physiotherapy (control group; n = 30). Rehabilitation was performed five times a week for 3 weeks. The primary outcome was the cortical activation in the Morning Walk group. The secondary outcomes included gait speed, 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), FAC, Motricity Index–Lower (MI–Lower), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). RESULTS: Thirty-six subjects were analyzed, 18 in the Morning Walk group and 18 in the control group. The cortical activation was lower in affected hemisphere than unaffected hemisphere at the beginning of robot rehabilitation. After training, the affected hemisphere achieved a higher increase in cortical activation than the unaffected hemisphere. Consequently, the cortical activation in affected hemisphere was significantly higher than that in unaffected hemisphere (P = 0.036). FAC, MBI, BBS, and RMI scores significantly improved in both groups. The Morning Walk group had significantly greater improvements than the control group in 10MWT (P = 0.017), gait speed (P = 0.043), BBS (P = 0.010), and MI–Lower (P = 0.047) scores. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted gait training not only improved functional outcomes but also increased cortical activation in stroke patients.

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