Robot-Assisted Gait Training Plan for Patients in Poststroke Recovery Period: A Single Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Background. Walking dysfunction exists in most patients after stroke. Evidence regarding gait training in two weeks is scarce in resource-limited settings; this study was conducted to investigate the effects of a short-term robot-assisted gait training plan for patients with stroke. Methods. 85 patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups, with 31 patients in withdrawal before treatment. The training program comprised 14 2-hour sessions, for 2 consecutive weeks. Patients allocated to the robot-assisted gait training group were treated using the Gait Training and Evaluation System A3 from NX (RT group, n = 27). Another group of patients was allocated to the conventional overground gait training group (PT group, n = 27). Outcome measurements were assessed using time-space parameter gait analysis, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), and Timed Up and Go test (TUG) scores. Results. In the time-space parameter analysis of gait, the two groups exhibited no significant changes in time parameters, but the RT group exhibited a significant effect on changes in space parameters (stride length, walk velocity, and toe out angle, P < 0.05). After training, FMA scores (20.22 +/- 2.68) of the PT group and FMA scores (25.89 +/- 4.6) of the RT group were significant. In the Timed Up and Go test, FMA scores of the PT group (22.43 +/- 3.95) were significant, whereas those in the RT group (21.31 +/- 4.92) were not. The comparison between groups revealed no significant differences. Conclusion. Both the RT group and the PT group can partially improve the walking ability of stroke patients within 2 weeks.