The effects of combining intermittent θ pulse stimulation of the cerebellum with lower extremity exoskeleton robot support on the balance and walking of stroke survivors
10.3760/cma.j.cn421666-20240805-00637
- VernacularTitle:小脑间歇性θ脉冲刺激联合下肢外骨骼机器人对脑卒中患者平衡和步行功能的影响
- Author:
Liang WANG
1
;
Hongjian LU
1
;
Dongyan ZHU
1
;
Huiyuan JI
1
;
Zhenzhen HAN
1
;
Yuejiao CAO
1
;
Qian XU
1
;
Weiguan CHEN
1
Author Information
1. 南通市第一人民医院康复医学科，南通 226001
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Cerebellum stimulation;
Intermittent θ pulse stimulation;
Exoskeleton robots;
Stroke;
Balance;
Walking;
Rehabilitation robots
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2025;47(8):693-698
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the effect of combining intermittent θ pulse stimulation (iTBS) of the cerebellum with lower extremity exoskeleton robot support on the balance and walking function of stroke survivors.Methods:Seventy-five stroke survivors complicated with lower extremity dysfunction were divided into an iTBS group, an exoskeleton group and a combined group, each of 25, according to a random number table. In addition to conventional rehabilitation training, the iTBS group was given cerebellar iTBS combined with traditional walking training, the exoskeleton group received sham cerebellar iTBS combined with walking training assisted by a lower extremity exoskeleton robot. The combined group received both therapies. The schedule was once a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks. Before and after the treatment, the 10-metre walking test (10MWT), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE) were used to evaluate the subjects′ walking ability, balance and lower extremity motor ability. Gait and neuro-electrophysiological tests were also conducted in all three groups.Results:After the treatment, a significant improvement was observed in the 10MWT times, BBS scores, FMA-LE scores, stride frequency and stride speed of all three groups compared with before the treatment. On average, the results of the exoskeleton and combined groups were significantly better than those of the iTBS group, and those of the combined group were significantly better than among the exoskeleton group. Almost everyone′s MEP latency and amplitude had improved significantly compared with before the treatment, but the improvements in the exoskeleton group tended to be superior to those in the iTBS group ( P≤0.05). The latency in the combined group averaged (21.25±1.70)ms, and the amplitude averaged (184.17±6.54)μV, both significantly better than the exoskeleton group′s averages. Conclusions:Cerebellum iTBS combined with lower extremity exoskeleton walker training can significantly improve the motor functioning, balance and walking ability of stroke survivors.
