Effects of robot-assisted gait training on trunk symmetry improvement in patients with chronic hemiplegia: A randomized, single-blind clinical trial

IF 1.6 3区心理学 Q4 NEUROSCIENCES

Human Movement Science Pub Date : 2025-03-07 DOI:10.1016/j.humov.2025.103339

Young Hyoun Rha , Jun Bum Shin , Jee Hwan Choi , Sang Min Im , Im Kyoung Shin

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Stroke-induced gait impairments often result in asymmetrical trunk alignment, affecting mobility and quality of life of patients. This randomized, single-blind clinical trial investigated the efficacy of robot-assisted gait training in addressing this issue and explored its impact on lower limb functions.

Methods

Fifty patients with chronic stroke were included in this study, with one group receiving traditional rehabilitation therapy and the other receiving additional robot-assisted gait training session. Participants in the robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) group underwent 30-min session, thrice per week for 4 weeks, totaling 12 sessions, in addition to traditional rehabilitation therapy. All participants underwent preintervention assessments, with reassessments at 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention. We assessed trunk symmetry and gait parameters, including step time, step length, separation line, and foot force, along with knee joint extensor muscle strength and stiffness.

Findings

Significant improvements in trunk symmetry were observed in the RAGT group (F(2,46) = 35.52, p < 0.001, η² = 0.607). Changes in step length asymmetry were significant for both groups (p < 0.000 each) without intergroup differences, whereas paralyzed knee extensor strength showed greater improvement in the RAGT group (p < 0.001).

Interpretation

The study findings revealed significant improvements in trunk symmetry and muscle strength among patients receiving RAGT. These results underscore the promising role of RAGT in stroke rehabilitation. Thus, proper gait patterns may contribute to maintaining a healthy posture.

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来源期刊

Human Movement Science 医学-神经科学

CiteScore

3.80

自引率

4.80%

发文量

审稿时长

42 days

期刊介绍： Human Movement Science provides a medium for publishing disciplinary and multidisciplinary studies on human movement. It brings together psychological, biomechanical and neurophysiological research on the control, organization and learning of human movement, including the perceptual support of movement. The overarching goal of the journal is to publish articles that help advance theoretical understanding of the control and organization of human movement, as well as changes therein as a function of development, learning and rehabilitation. The nature of the research reported may vary from fundamental theoretical or empirical studies to more applied studies in the fields of, for example, sport, dance and rehabilitation with the proviso that all studies have a distinct theoretical bearing. Also, reviews and meta-studies advancing the understanding of human movement are welcome. These aims and scope imply that purely descriptive studies are not acceptable, while methodological articles are only acceptable if the methodology in question opens up new vistas in understanding the control and organization of human movement. The same holds for articles on exercise physiology, which in general are not supported, unless they speak to the control and organization of human movement. In general, it is required that the theoretical message of articles published in Human Movement Science is, to a certain extent, innovative and not dismissible as just "more of the same."