Effects of gait exercise assist robot (GEAR) on subjects with chronic stroke: A randomized controlled pilot trial

The aim of this study was to investigate whether gait training using the Gait Exercise Assist Robot (GEAR) is more effective for improving gait ability than treadmill gait training in chronic stroke subjects.

Subjects were randomly assigned to either the GEAR group (n = 8) or treadmill group (n = 11). Both groups received a training program of 20 sessions (5 days/week). The 10-m walk test, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, 6-min walk test, the Medical Outcome Study 8-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-8), and Global Rating of Change (GRC) scales were administered at baseline (week 0), completion of training (week 4), 1-mo follow-up (week 8), and 3-mo follow-up (week 16).

Gait speed was significantly increased at completion of training and 1-mo follow-up compared with baseline in the GEAR group. Mean changes in TUG and 6-min walk were significantly greater in the GEAR group than in the treadmill group at completion of training compared to baseline. Furthermore, GRC scales were significantly increased at completion of training, 1-mo follow-up, and 3-mo follow-up compared with baseline in the GEAR group.

This study suggests that gait training using GEAR was more effective for improving gait ability than treadmill among subjects with chronic stroke.

This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (No. UMIN000028042).