The Effect of Robot-assisted Walking Training on Hemiplegic Individuals
Condition: Hemiplegia; Gait, Hemiplegic; Motor Function; Balance; Distorted
MeSH terms: Hemiplegia; Gait Disorders, Neurologic
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The aim of this study is to compare the effects of robotic rehabilitation on balance, body
      control, mobility, spasticity, motor function and depression compared to traditional therapy
      in individuals with chronic stroke. Patients aged between 40-70 years, who applied to the
      Private Avrasya Hospital Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Clinic, were diagnosed with
      hemiplegia based on an epicrisis medical board report, were included in the study on a
      voluntary basis, regardless of gender. After recording the demographic and clinical
      information of the participants, based on the physician's decision, they were included in 2
      groups: conventional treatment combined with robotic rehabilitation (n=20) and conventional
      treatment only (n=20).

      While one of the groups received traditional treatment, the other group received robotic
      walking training in addition to conventional treatment. Traditional treatment includes
      strengthening, balance, range of motion exercises and gait training applied 3 days a week for
      4 weeks. Robot-assisted walking training was planned for 20 minutes, 3 days a week.

      As assessment methods, number of steps, the 10m Walk Test, Brunnstrom motor staging,
      Functional Ambulation Classification, Fugl Meyer Rating Scale (lower extremity section),
      Modified Ashworth Scale, Beck Depression Scale, Tinetti Balance and Gait Test, Postural
      Assessment Scale in Stroke Patients and Stroke Impact Scale were used. Gender, age and
      duration of illness showed homogeneous distribution between the groups.
    

Detailed description: 
      More than 80% of stroke survivors have impaired walking ability, but most regain their
      ability to walk. While 40% of them need help while walking, 60% of the group do not have the
      ability to move independently outside the home. Balance disorder is the most common problem
      after stroke. Decreased muscle strength and joint range of motion and impaired coordination
      and sensory organization mechanism prevent balance. 80% of individuals who have had a stroke
      for the first time have balance disorder in the subacute phase. As a result of restricted
      balance, postural control deteriorates, the risk of falling increases and mobility decreases.

      Interventions to improve gait function should be intense, repetitive, and task-oriented.
      Intensive efforts of more than one physiotherapist are required in patients who do not have
      independent gait. Robot assisted walking devices; provides high-intensity, repetitive,
      task-specific therapy. It both reduces the workload of physiotherapists and improves gait
      quality, functional results (walking speed and capacity) and motor performance with
      multi-sensory stimulation.
    

Intervention name(s): Exercise Therapy; Exercise Therapy and Robotic Walking Training
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Traditional exercise therapy and NMES; Traditional exercise therapy and Robotic Walking Training
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: Controlled study
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment