Abstract

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of Walkbot gait training on knee joint stiffness in an individual with spastic hemiplegia.
 

METHOD

Awomanwithhemipareticstrokeunderwenta30-minuteWalkbotrobotic-assistedgaittrainingsession.Kneeflexion stiffness associated with hamstring spasticity and knee extension torques during the terminal swing phase was determined before and after the intervention using the Walkbot-STIFF measurement system.
 

DESIGN

Descriptive case analysis.
 

RESULTS

Knee joint extension kinematic at the terminal swing phase increased from 2.44◦ to −0.28◦. Knee joint torque increasedfrom0.26Nmto0.32Nm.Thekneeflexionstiffnessdecreasedfrom0.0083Nm/degreeto0.0022Nm/degreefollowing the training.
 

CONCLUSIONS

TheWalkbotrobotic-assisted locomotor training was effective forr educing knee joint stiffness and improving extensor torque during functional gait. Moreover, the Walkbot-STIFF system was useful for assessing and monitoring spasticity during locomotor training.
 
Keywords: Assistive device, cortical disinhibition, muscle stiffness, robotic-assisted gait training, stroke