ObjectiveTo explore effect of the ankle soft robotic exosuits (ASRE) on gait function in stroke patients. MethodsDatabases including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP were searched for researches evaluating the impact of ASRE on gait function in stroke patients with hemiplegia, covering the period from January 1st, 2020 to May 1st, 2025. The PEDro scale and the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tool were used to assess the quality of the included researches, and data were extracted for a scoping review. ResultsA total of twelve researches were finally included, consisting of three randomized controlled trials (RCT), three cross-over controlled trials and six pre-post controlled trials, which came from three countries of China, the United States and South Korea, involving 256 patients. The three RCT were rated as high-quality, while the remaining researches were presented moderate to serious risk of bias. Five researches employed a single-session intervention; and seven used multiple-session intervention, with 30 to 60 minutes a session, two to five sessions a week, for five to 20 sessions. ASRE was effective on walking speed, walking distance, propulsive force of the hemiplegic side, gait parameters and spatiotemporal symmetry, joint range of motion, as well as the scores of scales related to lower limb motor function, balance and gait, with favorable safety and reliability. ConclusionASRE may improve the gait function in stroke patients.

By means of a planimeter and skulls adjusted in the eye-ear plane, measurements of areas of the foramen ovale, spinosum, lacerum, jugulae and orifice of the canalis caroticus on both sides of the external surface of the skull base have been taken on 100 adult skulls collected in Chengdu. The symmetry of these areas has been studied. The main results of the study are given below: 1. In 4% of the whole series, the area of the foramen ovale is approximately equal on the two sides and the difference in area between the two sides is less than 1%. In 44%, the right side is larger, and in 52%, the left is larger. 2. In 5% of the whole series, the area of the foramen spinosum is approximately equal on the two sides. In 42%, the right side is larger, and in 53%, the left is larger. 3. In 4% of the whole series, the area of the foramen lacerum is approximately equal on the two sides. In 46%, the right side is larger, and in 50%, the left is larger. 4. In 3% of the whole series, the area of the foramen jugulae is approximately equal on the two sides. In 76%, the right side is larger, and in 21%, the left is larger. 5. In 3% of the whole series, the area of the anterior part of the foramen jugulae is approximately equal on the two sides. In 50%, the right side is larger, and in 47%, the left is larger. 6. In 17% of the whole series, the area of the intermediate part of the foramen jugulae is approximately equal on the two sides. In 37%, the right side is larger, and in 46%, the left is larger. 7. In 2% of the whole series, the area of the posterior part of the foramen jugulae is approximately equal on the two sides. In 79%, the right side is larger, and in 19%, the left is larger. 8. In 5% of the whole series, the area of the orifice of the canalis caroticus is approximately equal on the two sides. In 58%, the right side is larger, and in 37%, the left is larger. Moreover, a quantitative analysis of the bilateral areas has been carried out. The foramen area is highly positive in correlation With the product of its length and width. Therefore, the regression formulas of the areas are as follows: The foramen ovale-right, ■=1.5129+0.6699x (r=0.9417); left, ■=0.3695+0.6876x(r=0.8949). The foramen spinosum-right, ■=0.7827+0.6089x (r=0.8755); left, ■=0.3499+0.6695x (r=0.9207). The foramen lacerum-right, ■=9.4190+0.4480x (r=0.9147); left, ■=13.5198+0.4082x (r=0.8493). The foramen jugulaeright, ■=18.3913+0.5092x (r=0.8843); left,■=11.3561+0.5744x (r=0.9193). The anterior part of the foramen jugulae-right, Y=3.3141+0.4858x (r=0.8330); left, ■=3.2294+0.4854x (r=0.8452) The intermediate part of the foramen jugulae-right, ■=2.5434+0.4311x (r=0.7942); left, Y=1.7547+0.5227x (r=0.8366). The posterior part of the foramen jugulae-right,■=1.3470+0.6311x (r=0.8273); left, ■=0.9110+0.6586x (r=0.9480). The orifice of the canalis caroticus-right, ■=1.0986+0.6794x (r=0.9128); left, ■=1.5038+0.6590x (r=0.9219). (x is the product of the length and width of its foramen).