Abstract
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.
Highlights
As a leading cause of death and long-term disability [1], stroke poses a significant danger to women
Mobility is often limited by walking impairment [8,9] and restoration of walking ability by gait rehabilitation is a relevant objective of the recovery process [10]
The effectiveness of robotic training was reported for non-ambulatory patients rather than for ambulatory stroke survivors [12,18], suggesting that this approach might represent a rehabilitative strategy for targeted populations
Summary
As a leading cause of death and long-term disability [1], stroke poses a significant danger to women. In chronic stroke patients (as for other neurologic diseases [22]), studies failed to demonstrate a more favourable impact of electromechanically or technology-assisted gait training in recovery compared to conventional overground gait training [23,24]—or its effectiveness in combination with physiotherapy to achieve independent walking [12,25]. The effectiveness of robotic training was reported for non-ambulatory patients rather than for ambulatory stroke survivors [12,18], suggesting that this approach might represent a rehabilitative strategy for targeted populations. 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. 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
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
