Ann Rehabil Med.  2017 Apr;41(2):178-187. 10.5535/arm.2017.41.2.178.

Feasibility of Rehabilitation Training With a Newly Developed, Portable, Gait Assistive Robot for Balance Function in Hemiplegic Patients

• Sung J
• Choi S
• Kim H
• Lee G
• Han C
• Ji Y
• Shin D
• Hwang S
• Yun D
• Jang H
• Kim MJ

• KMID: 2389474
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2017.41.2.178

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical feasibility of a newly developed, portable, gait assistive robot (WA-H, "˜walking assist for hemiplegia') for improving the balance function of patients with stroke-induced hemiplegia.
METHODS
Thirteen patients underwent 12 weeks of gait training on the treadmill while wearing WA-H for 30 minutes per day, 4 days a week. Patients' balance function was evaluated by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FMAS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) before and after 6 and 12 weeks of training.
RESULTS
There were no serious complications or clinical difficulties during gait training with WA-H. In three categories of BBS, TUGT, and the balance scale of SPPB, there was a statistically significant improvement at the 6th week and 12th week of gait training with WA-H. In the subscale of balance function of FMAS, there was statistically significant improvement only at the 12th week.
CONCLUSION
Gait training using WA-H demonstrated a beneficial effect on balance function in patients with hemiplegia without a safety issue.

Keyword

Robotics; Stroke; Hemiplegia; Gait; Rehabilitation

MeSH Terms

Gait*
Hemiplegia
Humans
Rehabilitation*
Robotics
Stroke

Figure

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  Fig. 1 WA-H (walking assist for hemiplegia) system. Target trajectory was created by normal side's sensors, and motors at knee and hip joints were used to assist the movement.

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  Fig. 2 Gait training with WA-H on the treadmill with hand rail.

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  Fig. 3 Changes in the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for 13 patients in baseline, the 6th week and 12th week.

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  Fig. 4 Changes in the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) score for 13 patients in baseline, the 6th week and 12th week.

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  Fig. 5 Changes in the balance item of Short Physical Performance Battery (B-SPPB) for 13 patients in baseline, the 6th week and 12th week.

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  Fig. 6 Changes the subscale of balance function of Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (B-FMAS) for 13 patients in baseline, the 6th week and 12th week.

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