TY - JOUR
T1 - Hybrid robot-assisted gait training for motor function in subacute stroke
T2 - a single-blind randomized controlled trial
AU - Lin, Yen Nung
AU - Huang, Shih Wei
AU - Kuan, Yi Chun
AU - Chen, Hung Chou
AU - Jian, Wen Shan
AU - Lin, Li Fong
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was supported by research grants from Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University (108HCP-06), and Taipei Medical University (TMU108-AE1-B07).
Funding Information:
We thank the HIWIN Company for providing associated information, particularly regarding the design and technical aspects of this RAGT system. This manuscript was edited by Wallace Academic Editing.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).
PY - 2022/12
Y1 - 2022/12
N2 - Background: Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) is a practical treatment that can complement conventional rehabilitation by providing high-intensity repetitive training for patients with stroke. RAGT systems are usually either of the end-effector or exoskeleton types. We developed a novel hybrid RAGT system that leverages the advantages of both types. Objective: This single-blind randomized controlled trial evaluated the beneficial effects of the novel RAGT system both immediately after the intervention and at the 3-month follow-up in nonambulatory patients with subacute stroke. Methods: We recruited 40 patients with subacute stroke who were equally randomized to receive conventional rehabilitation either alone or with the addition of 15 RAGT sessions. We assessed lower-extremity motor function, balance, and gait performance by using the following tools: active range of motion (AROM), manual muscle test (MMT), the Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA) lower-extremity subscale (FMA-LE) and total (FMA-total), Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) balance and gait subscores, and the 3-m and 6-m walking speed and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests. These measurements were performed before and after the intervention and at the 3-month follow-up. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant within-group changes in the AROM, MMT, FMA-LE, FMA-total, PASS, BBS, POMA, TUG, and 3-m and 6-m walking speed tests before and after intervention and at the 3-month follow-up (p < 0.05). The RAGT group significantly outperformed the control group only in the FMA-LE (p = 0.014) and total (p = 0.002) assessments. Conclusion: Although the novel hybrid RAGT is effective, strong evidence supporting its clinical effectiveness relative to controls in those with substantial leg dysfunction after stroke remains elusive. Trial registration The study was registered with an International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number, ISRCTN, ISRCTN15088682. Registered retrospectively on September 16, 2016, at https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN15088682
AB - Background: Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) is a practical treatment that can complement conventional rehabilitation by providing high-intensity repetitive training for patients with stroke. RAGT systems are usually either of the end-effector or exoskeleton types. We developed a novel hybrid RAGT system that leverages the advantages of both types. Objective: This single-blind randomized controlled trial evaluated the beneficial effects of the novel RAGT system both immediately after the intervention and at the 3-month follow-up in nonambulatory patients with subacute stroke. Methods: We recruited 40 patients with subacute stroke who were equally randomized to receive conventional rehabilitation either alone or with the addition of 15 RAGT sessions. We assessed lower-extremity motor function, balance, and gait performance by using the following tools: active range of motion (AROM), manual muscle test (MMT), the Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA) lower-extremity subscale (FMA-LE) and total (FMA-total), Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) balance and gait subscores, and the 3-m and 6-m walking speed and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests. These measurements were performed before and after the intervention and at the 3-month follow-up. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant within-group changes in the AROM, MMT, FMA-LE, FMA-total, PASS, BBS, POMA, TUG, and 3-m and 6-m walking speed tests before and after intervention and at the 3-month follow-up (p < 0.05). The RAGT group significantly outperformed the control group only in the FMA-LE (p = 0.014) and total (p = 0.002) assessments. Conclusion: Although the novel hybrid RAGT is effective, strong evidence supporting its clinical effectiveness relative to controls in those with substantial leg dysfunction after stroke remains elusive. Trial registration The study was registered with an International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number, ISRCTN, ISRCTN15088682. Registered retrospectively on September 16, 2016, at https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN15088682
KW - Balance
KW - Rehabilitation
KW - Robot-assisted gait training
KW - Stroke
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U2 - 10.1186/s12984-022-01076-6
DO - 10.1186/s12984-022-01076-6
M3 - Article
C2 - 36104706
AN - SCOPUS:85137896567
SN - 1743-0003
VL - 19
JO - Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
JF - Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
IS - 1
M1 - 99
ER -