Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
06:00
A Rehabilitation Program of Exoskeleton-assisted Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Training with Non-immersive Virtual Reality for Stroke Patients
Published on: May 16, 2025
Driving electromechanically assisted Gait Trainer for people with stroke
Marco Iosa1, Giovanni Morone, Maura Bragoni
1Fondazione Santa Lucia-IRCCS, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy. m.iosa@hsantalucia.it
Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
|April 12, 2011
Summary
Electromechanically assisted gait training (GT) shows promise for stroke recovery. This study found optimal GT parameters vary by patient ability, suggesting personalized training is key for effective gait restoration.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Engineering
- Neurorehabilitation
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Electromechanically assisted gait training (GT) is a task-oriented approach for gait restoration in subacute stroke patients.
- Current GT parameter selection lacks patient-specific guidelines, potentially limiting efficacy.
- The Gait Trainer (GT) is a device used for this type of therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate optimal parameter selection for the Gait Trainer (GT) based on patient motor capacity.
- To analyze the relationship between selected and effective body-weight support (BWS) during GT sessions.
- To assess physiological responses during GT in stroke survivors.
Main Methods:
- Assessed 342 GT sessions across 20 individuals with stroke, stratified by Functional Ambulatory Category.
- Monitored body-weight support (BWS) reduction, walking speed changes, and heart rate increments.
- Compared therapist-selected BWS with measured effective BWS and analyzed harness acceleration.
Main Results:
- Initial BWS requirements were higher than literature values; BWS decreased and speed increased in more affected patients, with inverse trends in less affected patients.
- Consistent heart rate increase (~20 bpm) observed across varying session lengths.
- Discrepancies between selected and effective BWS were noted, influenced by GT platform positioning.
- Anteroposterior harness acceleration was elevated in stroke patients compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- GT parameter selection requires personalization based on individual motor capacity for optimal gait restoration.
- Effective BWS during training may differ from initial settings, necessitating careful calibration.
- Further research is needed to establish evidence-based guidelines for GT parameter selection in stroke rehabilitation.
