Effect of Gait Exercise Assist Robot on Walking Ability in a Patient with Chronic Stroke
- VernacularTitle:週１回の外来通院によるGait Exercise Assist Robot歩行練習で歩行能力の改善を認めた慢性期脳卒中患者の１例
- Author:
Ryota UEGAKI
1
;
Tomoyuki OGINO
1
;
Yoshihiro KANATA
1
;
Yosuke WADA
1
;
Kazuhisa DOMEN
2
Author Information
- Keywords: chronic stroke; Gait Exercise Assist Robot; gait ability; outpatient visit
- From:The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2021;58(6):699-704
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
- Abstract: We report a case of a patient with chronic stroke who improved his gait ability through weekly gait training using Gait Exercise Assist Robot (GEAR). A man in his 70s, who developed cerebral infarction 27 years ago, presented with right-sided hemiplegia. Before gait training, the patient's gait ability was assessed to be independent, but poor toe clearance was observed on the paralyzed side during the swing phase. Therefore, we started gait training using GEAR with the goal of improving his gait pattern. The patient underwent gait training using GEAR for 20 min/day, 1 day/week for 12 weeks, wherein the treadmill speed was increased as much as possible in order to improve the swing of the paralyzed lower limbs, and the visual and auditory feedback functions were also used to promote the load and swing of the paralyzed lower limbs. As a result, the overground gait velocity, Timed Up and Go Test, and 6-minute walking distance increased after 4 weeks. However, poor toe clearance was observed on the paralyzed side during the swing phase even after 12 weeks of the training. These results suggest that 4 weeks of gait training using GEAR (performed only 1 day/week) may effectively improve the gait ability of patients with chronic stroke. On the other hand, no improvement in gait pattern was observed, and further investigation is required in the future.
