Task-specific ankle robotics gait training after stroke: a randomized pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An unsettled question in the use of robotics for post-stroke gait rehabilitation is whether task-specific locomotor training is more effective than targeting individual joint impairments to improve walking function. The paretic ankle is implicated in gait instability and fall risk, but is difficult to therapeutically isolate and refractory to recovery. We hypothesize that in chronic stroke, treadmill-integrated ankle robotics training is more effective to improve gait function than robotics focused on paretic ankle impairments.

Findings

Participants with chronic hemiparetic gait were randomized to either six weeks of treadmill-integrated ankle robotics (n = 14) or dose-matched seated ankle robotics (n = 12) videogame training. Selected gait measures were collected

SUBMITTER: Forrester LW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4890526 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature