Robot‐Assisted Gait Training Plan for Patients in Poststroke Recovery Period: A Single Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

摘要

Background . Walking dysfunction exists in most patients after stroke. Evidence regarding gait training in two weeks is scarce in resource‐limited settings; this study was conducted to investigate the effects of a short‐term robot‐assisted gait training plan for patients with stroke. Methods . 85 patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups, with 31 patients in withdrawal before treatment. The training program comprised 14 2‐hour sessions, for 2 consecutive weeks. Patients allocated to the robot‐assisted gait training group were treated using the Gait Training and Evaluation System A3 from NX (RT group, n = 27). Another group of patients was allocated to the conventional overground gait training group (PT group, n = 27). Outcome measurements were assessed using time‐space parameter gait analysis, Fugl‐Meyer Assessment (FMA), and Timed Up and Go test (TUG) scores. Results . In the time‐space parameter analysis of gait, the two groups exhibited no significant changes in time parameters, but the RT group exhibited a significant effect on changes in space parameters (stride length, walk velocity, and toe out angle, P < 0.05). After training, FMA scores (20.22 ± 2.68) of the PT group and FMA scores (25.89 ± 4.6) of the RT group were significant. In the Timed Up and Go test, FMA scores of the PT group (22.43 ± 3.95) were significant, whereas those in the RT group (21.31 ± 4.92) were not. The comparison between groups revealed no significant differences. Conclusion . Both the RT group and the PT group can partially improve the walking ability of stroke patients within 2 weeks.