Abstract
Background: To investigate the efficacy and usefulness of 12 sessions of overground robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in subacute stroke patients. Methods: In this pilot study, 17 subacute stroke survivors were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 9) and control (n = 8) groups. In addition to the conventional stroke neurorehabilitation program, the intervention group received 30 minutes of overground exoskeletal RAGT, while the control group received 30 minutes of conventional gait training by a physiotherapist. All interventions were performed in 12 sessions (3 times/week for 4 weeks). The primary aim was to assess ambulation ability using the functional ambulation category (FAC). The 10-m walk test, Berg Balance Scale, timed-up-and-go Timed-up-and-go, Fugl-Meyer assessment of lower extremity, pulmonary function test, the Korean version of the modified Barthel index, and Euro quality of life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) were assessed. All outcomes were evaluated both before and after the intervention. Results: The Berg Balance Scale, Korean version of the modified Barthel index, and EQ-5D scores (P <.05) improved significantly in both groups. Only those in the RAGT group improved significantly in the FAC, timed-up-and-go, and 10-m walk test (P <.05). In the FAC and EQ-5D, the intervention group showed greater improvement than the control group (P <.05). Conclusion: We found that 4 weeks of overground RAGT combined with conventional training may improve walking independence and quality of life in patients with subacute stroke.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | E32761 |
Journal | Medicine (United States) |
Volume | 102 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2023 Jan 27 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2023 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Keywords
- cerebrovascular disorders
- neurological rehabilitation
- rehabilitation
- stroke
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine