Does robot-assisted gait training improve ambulation in highly disabled multiple sclerosis people? A pilot randomized...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) is explored for multiple sclerosis (MS) rehabilitation, but its efficacy in severely affected individuals remains debated.
• Conventional walking training (CWT) is a standard approach, yet results in non-autonomous MS patients are often inconclusive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of RAGT versus CWT in improving gait, global ability, fatigue, and spasticity in severely affected MS patients.
• To evaluate RAGT's impact on primary gait outcomes and secondary clinical parameters.

Main Methods:

• A pilot, single-blind randomized controlled trial involving 43 non-autonomous ambulant MS patients (EDSS 6-7.5).
• Participants received 12 sessions of either RAGT or CWT.
• Primary outcomes: 2-minute walking test, Functional Ambulatory Category. Secondary outcomes: Modified Barthel Index, Rivermead Mobility Index, EDSS, Fatigue Severity Scale.

Main Results:

• RAGT group showed significantly higher improvements in primary gait outcome measures (p < 0.05).
• Significant improvements were observed in RAGT group for global ability (p < 0.001), global mobility (p < 0.001), EDSS score (p = 0.014), and perceived fatigue (p = 0.001).

Conclusions:

• RAGT is effective in enhancing walking competencies for non-autonomous ambulant MS patients.
• RAGT provides significant benefits, including reduced perceived fatigue, in the rehabilitation of severely affected MS individuals.