Comparative Effects of Different Assistance Force During Robot-Assisted Gait Training on Locomotor Functions in
In Jae Park1, Ji-Ho Park, Hyun Yong Seong
1From the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea (IJP); Dynamic Movement Institute & Technology, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea (JHP); Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Physical Therapy, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea (JHP); Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea (HYS); Dynamic Movement Institute & Technology, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea (JSHY); Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea (SJK, JHM, HYK); Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Republic of Korea (YIS); and Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea (YIS).
Objective:
The aim of the study was to compare the effects of progressive reducing assistance force versus full assistance force controlled robot-assisted gait training combined with conventional physiotherapy on locomotor functions in patients with subacute stroke.
Design:
Inpatients with subacute stroke (N = 29; 16 men; Functional Ambulation Category score = 1 ± 0.9) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a progressive reducing assistance force group (n = 15) or a full assistance force group (n = 14). The progressive reducing assistance force group performed robot-assisted gait training sessions from 100% assistance force at the outset to 60% assistance force at the end of the robot-assisted gait training, whereas the full assistance force group received 100% assistance force throughout the robot-assisted gait training sessions. Both groups performed robot-assisted gait training combined with conventional physiotherapy 5 days a week for 4 wks. After intervention, all patients then underwent only conventional physiotherapy 5 days a week for 4 wks of follow-up.
Results:
The Mann-Whitney U test between-group comparisons showed that improvements were significantly greater in the progressive reducing assistance force group for the Functional Ambulation Category, knee extensors torque, and Berg Balance Scale relative to the full assistance force group, both at postintervention and at follow-up.
Conclusions:
Progressive reducing assistance force control during robot-assisted gait training combined with conventional physiotherapy may be more beneficial for improving locomotor functions in patients with subacute stroke.
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