Characteristics of Patients after Stroke in the Convalescent Period Achieving Independent Gait through Robot-assisted Gait Training
- VernacularTitle:ロボット支援歩行練習により歩行自立に至る回復期脳卒中後患者の特徴
- Author:
Daigo HIRADO
1
;
Yuta SUZUKI
2
;
Fuki HIRAOKA
1
;
Yukio URABE
1
;
Taizan SHIRAKAWA
3
Author Information
- Keywords: stroke; convalescent rehabilitation; ambulatory exercise; training robot
- From:The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;():25005-
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
- Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of patients achieving independent gait through Robot-Assisted Gait Training, based on their condition at the onset of the training.Methods: The subjects were patients after stroke who underwent 4 weeks of gait training using the Hybrid Assistive Limb® (HAL, Cyberdyne, Inc.). The assessment items were Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC), Stroke Impairment Assessment Set (SIAS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) for lower extremity, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and Hasegawa Dementia Scale-Revised (HDS-R). Patients with a FAC score of 3 or higher were classified as the independent group, while those with a FAC score of 2 or lower were classified as the assistance group. A univariate analysis was conducted with a significance level set at 5%.Results: Ten patients were in the independent group (mean age 73.2±13.8 years), while 7 patients were in the assistance group (mean age 83.6±6.1 years). The independent group demonstrated significantly higher scores in SIAS total score, BBS, FIM, and HDS-R (p<0.05). Additionally, the SIAS subscales assessing knee joint function, lower limb range of motion, abdominal muscle strength, verticality, and quadriceps muscle strength on the non-paralyzed side were all significantly higher in the independent group (p<0.05).Conclusion: Patients achieving independent gait through training with HAL were younger, exhibited lower levels of functional disability, demonstrated better balance, and showed a greater capacity to perform activities of daily living and cognitive function.
