Effect of lower extremity exoskeleton robots on balance and walking function of patients with post-stroke cerebellar ataxia
10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2026.01.003
- VernacularTitle:下肢外骨骼机器人对卒中后小脑性共济失调患者平衡和步行功能的影响
- Author:
Yuan YUE
1
;
Tong ZHANG
1
;
Yuanmin LIU
1
;
Ya'nan WANG
1
Author Information
1. Capital Medical University School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Beijing 100068, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
stroke;
cerebellar ataxia;
lower limb exoskeleton robot;
balance function;
walking function
- From:
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice
2026;32(1):23-29
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of lower extremity exoskeleton robots on balance and walking function of patients with post-stroke cerebellar ataxia. MethodsA total of 60 patients with post-stroke cerebellar ataxia in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital from October, 2022 to October, 2024 were selected, and randomly divided into control group (n = 30) and exoskeleton group (n = 30) randomly. Both groups were given conventional exercise training, including trunk control training, rotation axis training and Frenkel training; the exoskeleton group received additional training with lower limb exoskeleton robots, for four weeks. Before and after treatment, the Gait Watch three-dimensional gait analyzer and the Holden Functional Ambulation Classification (HFAC) were used to evaluate the walking spatiotemporal parameters such as walking speed, walking frequency and step length deviation, as well as the walking ability. Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) were used to access the balance and ataxia functions, respectively. ResultsAfter treatment, the walking speed, walking frequency and step length deviation of both groups improved (|t| > 19.676, P < 0.001), the BBS score improved (|t| > 29.032, P < 0.001), and the ICARS scores decreased (t > 33.192, P < 0.001) in both groups, and they were better in the exoskeleton group than in the control group (|t| > 2.284, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the improvement rate of HFAC between two groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionLower extremity exoskeleton robots can effectively improve the balance and walking function of patients with post-stroke cerebellar ataxia.
