Neuroplasticity Induced by Robot-assisted Gait Training in a Stroke Patient: A case report.
- Author:
Ji Sung YOO
1
;
Chang Hyun PARK
;
Hyun Geun HA
;
Hee Joon SHIN
;
Jung Phil HUH
;
Yun Hee KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: reorganization; robot-assisted gait training; stroke
- From:Brain & Neurorehabilitation 2008;1(1):29-34
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: In this case study, we investigated the effects of robot-assisted gait training on the plasticity of motor system in a stroke patient using functional MRI. A patient who suffered from the left hemiparesis following the right MCA infarction performed gait training with a robot-assisted gait orthosis. Before and after gait training, motor performances were assessed and functional MRIs were acquired with motor activation task of affected lower limb. After gait training with a robot-assisted orthosis, the patient's motor performances were improved and cortical activities were changed. Activation in the ipsilesional primary sensorimotor cortex was increased and cortical reorganization was induced in a way that nearby regions were recruited for the movement of affected lower limb. The results of this study showed that gait training with a robot-assisted orthosis induced cortical reorganization of the motor network that resulted in enhancement of motor performance of the lower limb.
