Abstract

BACKGROUND

The robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) system has gained recognition as an innovative, effective paradigmtoimprovefunctionalambulationandactivitiesofdailylivinginspinalcordinjuryandstroke.However,theeffects of the Walkbot robotic-assisted gait training system with a specialized hip-knee-ankle actuator have never been examined in the paraplegia and quadriplegia population.
 

OBJECTIVE

Theaimofthisstudywastodeterminethelong-termeffectsofWalkbottrainingonclinicalforhipsandknee stiffness in individuals with paraplegia or quadriplegia.
 

METHODS

Nine adults with subacute or chronic paraplegia resulting from spinal cord injury or quadriplegia resulting from cerebral vascular accident (CVA) and/or hypoxia underwent progressive conventional gait retraining combined with the Walkbot RAGT for 5 days/week over an average of 43 sessions for 8 weeks. Clinical outcomes were measured with the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), Modified Rankin Scale (MRS), Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Kinetic and kinematic data were collected via a built-in Walkbot program.
 

RESULTS

Wilcoxon signed-rank tests showed significant positive intervention effects on K-MBI, maximal hip flexion and extension, maximal knee flexion, active torque in the knee joint, resistive torque, and stiffness in the hip joint (P<0.05). ThesefindingssuggestthattheWalkbotRAGTwaseffectiveforimprovingkneeandhipkinematicsandtheactivekneejoint moment while decreasing hip resistive force. These improvements were associated with functional recovery in gait, balance, mobility and daily activities.
 

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the Walkbot RAGT was effective for improving knee and hip kinematics and the active knee joint moment while decreasing hip resistive force. This is the first clinical evidence for intensive, longterm effects of the Walkbot RAGT on active or resistive moments and stiffness associated with spasticity and functional mobility in individuals with subacute or chronic paraplegia or quadriplegia who had reached a plateau in motor recovery after conventional therapy.
 
 
 
Keywords: Paraplegia, quadriplegia, robotic-assisted gait training, Walkbot, stiffness, gait, neurorehabilitation

첨부파일 :7. Effects of Walkbot gait training on kinematics, kinetics.pdf