Highlights
- •Recovery of walking function is one of the main goals of patients after stroke.
- •RAGT may be considered a valuable tool in improving gait abnormalities.
- •The earlier the gait training starts, the better the motor recovery.
Abstract
Background
Studies about electromechanical-assisted devices proved the validity and effectiveness
of these tools in gait rehabilitation, especially if used in association with conventional
physiotherapy in stroke patients.
Objective
The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different robotic devices in improving
post-stroke gait abnormalities.
Methods
A computerized literature research of articles was conducted in the databases MEDLINE,
PEDro, COCHRANE, besides a search for the same items in the Library System of the
University of Parma (Italy). We selected 13 randomized controlled trials, and the
results were divided into sub-acute stroke patients and chronic stroke patients. We
selected studies including at least one of the following test: 10-Meter Walking Test,
6-Minute Walk Test, Timed-Up-and-Go, 5-Meter Walk Test, and Functional Ambulation
Categories.
Results
Stroke patients who received physiotherapy treatment in combination with robotic devices,
such as Lokomat or Gait Trainer, were more likely to reach better results, compared
to patients who receive conventional gait training alone. Moreover, electromechanical-assisted
gait training in association with Functional Electrical Stimulations produced more
benefits than the only robotic treatment (−0.80 [−1.14; −0.46], p > .05).
Conclusions
The evaluation of the results confirm that the use of robotics can positively affect
the outcome of a gait rehabilitation in patients with stroke. The effects of different
devices seems to be similar on the most commonly outcome evaluated by this review.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: December 02, 2017
Accepted:
October 11,
2017
Received:
June 19,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
