The effects of a lower-limb rehabilitation robot and body weight supported treadmill training on the walking ability of hemiplegic patients after stroke

Abstract

Objective To observe the effects of a rehabilitation robot and body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on the walking ability of hemiplegic patients after stroke.Methods Sixty hemiplegic patients were divided randomly into treatment and control groups (n=30 in each).The treatment group received training assisted by a leg rehabilitation robot for 10-20 min once daily,6 days per week for 8 weeks in addition to conventional treatments and BWSTT.The control group was only given conventional treatments and BWSTT once daily for 8 weeks.Their lower extremity functions,balance and walking ability were assessed with a simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and using the Berg balance scale (BBS) and Functional Ambulation Categories (FACs).Results After training,both groups showed significant improvements in terms of FMA,BBS and FAC results.The treatment group showed significantly better improvements in lower extremity function,balance and walking ability compared with the control group.Conclusions The lower-limb rehabilitation robot and BWSTT could together improve balance and walking ability. Key words: Lower-limb rehabilitation robots; Body weight supported treadmill training; Walking ability