The Effect of Robotic Rehabilitation on Posture and Trunk Control in Non-Ambulatory Cerebral Palsy.

AIM The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a combined Robot Assisted Gait Training (RAGT) with standard physiotherapy (PT) on trunk control and posture in non-ambulatory children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS This nonrandomized, controlled study included 31 CP assigned into 2 groups. Study Group: RAGT (three times a week, 30 min/session, for 6 weeks) + PT. Control group: PT only. The patients were evaluated using Gross motor function measure (GMFM)-88 (Section B, Sitting) and Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), pretreatment and 3rd month post-treatment. RESULTS In the RAGT group, significant improvements were observed in the GMFM-B and TIS scores at the 3rd month post-treatment (p<0.05). Comparison of the changes in GMFM-B and TIS scores from end to beginning of the study, the change in TIS-static are significantly higher in the RAGT group than control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Addition of RAGT to standard physiotherapy seems to improve trunk control, sitting balance and posture in non ambulatory CP.