Robot-assisted gait training in stroke.

Abstract

Stroke is the second most common cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Most of the patients cannot regain their walking ability after a stroke. Impaired gait and mobility negatively affect the activities of daily living and quality of life of stroke survivors. Restoring gait and mobility are the most important targets of the rehabilitation approaches. Advances in computers and engineering have enabled robotics to be used in many areas of rehabilitation medicine. One of them is gait training. High-intensity, repetitive task training is crucial for neural plasticity and motor learning. Robot-assisted gait training may be a promising method leading to functional recovery in patients with stroke. In this review, the efficacy of robot-assisted gait training in stroke rehabilitation is discussed in light of current literature.