Abstract
Background Walking dysfunction exists in most patients after stroke. Evidence regarding gait training in two weeks is scarce in resource-limited settings; this study was conducted to investigate the effects of a short-term robot-assisted gait training plan for patients with stroke. Methods 85 patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups, with 31 patients in withdrawal before treatment. The training program comprised 14 2-hour sessions, for 2 consecutive weeks. Patients allocated to the robot-assisted gait training group were treated using the Gait Training and Evaluation System A3 from NX (RT group, n = 27). Another group of patients was allocated to the conventional overground gait training group (PT group, n = 27). Outcome measurements were assessed using time-space parameter gait analysis, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), and Timed Up and Go test (TUG) scores. Results In the time-space parameter analysis of gait, the two groups exhibited no significant changes in time parameters, but the RT group exhibited a significant effect on changes in space parameters (stride length, walk velocity, and toe out angle, P < 0.05). After training, FMA scores (20.22 ± 2.68) of the PT group and FMA scores (25.89 ± 4.6) of the RT group were significant. In the Timed Up and Go test, FMA scores of the PT group (22.43 ± 3.95) were significant, whereas those in the RT group (21.31 ± 4.92) were not. The comparison between groups revealed no significant differences. Conclusion Both the RT group and the PT group can partially improve the walking ability of stroke patients within 2 weeks.
Highlights
Stroke is a major cause of disability
The main purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of robot-assisted gait training (RT group) and conventional ground gait training (PT group) for early stroke patients with gait disorder
The current findings revealed that, compared with conventional ground gait training (PT group), gait training with the A3 robot using NX had several key advantages for improving motor function
Summary
Stroke is a major cause of disability. Previous studies have reported that, 3 months after onset, one-third of surviving patients remain wheelchair-dependent and gait velocity and endurance are significantly reduced in approximately 80% of ambulatory patients [1,2,3]. It has been observed that repetitive task-specific methods with higher walking intensity can lead to greater improvement in the gait of stroke patients [6]. For subacute stroke participants with moderate to severe gait disorder, the variety of conventional gait training interventions is reported to be more effective than robot-assisted gait training [8, 9]. Evidence regarding gait training in two weeks is scarce in resource-limited settings; this study was conducted to investigate the effects of a short-term robot-assisted gait training plan for patients with stroke. Patients allocated to the robot-assisted gait training group were treated using the Gait Training and Evaluation System A3 from NX (RT group, n = 27). Both the RT group and the PT group can partially improve the walking ability of stroke patients within 2 weeks
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