J Korean Biol Nurs Sci.  2021 Feb;23(1):72-82. 10.7586/jkbns.2021.23.1.72.

The Effects of Robot-Assisted Rehabilitation on the Gait Ability of Stroke Patients with Hemiplegia: A Mixed Methods Research Study

• Park MG
• Ha YM
• Cho HJ
• Jeon MY

• KMID: 2513543
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7586/jkbns.2021.23.1.72

Abstract

Purpose
This study used a mixed methods research design in an attempt to verify the effects of robot-assisted rehabilitation on the gait ability of stroke patients with hemiplegia, and thereby further understand the benefits and challenges of stroke patients’ experiences relying on robot-assisted rehabilitation.
Methods
An exploratory sequential mixed methods study design was used in order to combine both quantitative and qualitative data. For the quantitative data collection, a total of 30 stroke patients with hemiplegia were recruited from one rehabilitation hospital. Qualitative data were collected through individual interviews using semi-structured questionnaires for a group of 15 patients who were currently undergoing robot-assisted rehabilitation. The data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis.
Results
As a result of the quantitative analysis, there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of daily living activity patterns, total number of steps, and average walking speed. As a result of the qualitative analysis, the four main themes derived consisted of, ‘curiosity about the usage of robot-assisted rehabilitation,’ ‘pleasure experienced while using the robots,’ ‘insufficient information about robots,’ and ‘a lack of education about robot-assisted rehabilitation.’
Conclusions
Robot-assisted rehabilitation had a significant effect on the walking ability of stroke patients with hemiplegia. Additionally, stroke patients with hemiplegia experienced difficulty during the course of their robot-assisted rehabilitation, due to a lack of sufficient information on correct usage techniques. These quantitative and qualitative findings could provide the basic foundation for the development of an educational program on robot-assisted rehabilitation.

Keyword

Gait; Stroke; Rehabilitation; Activities of daily living