Rehabilitation robotics is increasingly used because it enables the patients to practice a wide array of movements. Dynamic balance training is essential for gait rehabilitation and robotised devices enhance repeatability, objectivity and precision of such training combined with monitoring and recording of kinematic and kinetic data. The aim of the study is to explore the effect of robot-assisted gait training on dynamic balance, symmetry and take-off in patients after stroke. The investigators will conduct a randomised intervention study where one group will receive visual feedback on gait status and the other group will receive kinetically-assisted training using a robotised device in addition to the visual feedback.
Gait training will start 3 weeks after admission to inpatient rehabilitation. It will last for 3 weeks, 5 times per week, 30 minutes per day. The first few sessions with the robotic device will serve to familiarise the patient with the BART device and training conditions. Further details are described in the Arms and Interventions section.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DEVICE_FEASIBILITY
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
10
The Balance Assisted Robot on Treadmill (BART) enables various types of gait training on treadmill with visual feedback. It interfaces to the pelvis of the walking subject in an actuated and admittance-controlled manner, thus providing transparent haptic interaction with negligible power transfer.
In addition to the standard gait training, the BART will deliver perturbations in the forward/backward and left/right direction.
University Rehabilitation Institute, Republic of Slovenia
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Change in postural stability during walking
Assessed using the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) scale. The scale scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating less impairment.
Time frame: Assessment before and after the 3-week training programme
Change in functional ambulation category
Assessed using the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC) scale. The FAC is a 6-point scale (0-5), with higher category indicating better walking ability.
Time frame: Assessment before and after the 3-week training programme
Change in functional independence
Assessed using the Motor subscale of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). FIM Motor subscale scores range from 13 to 91, with higher scores indicating better functional independence.
Time frame: Assessment before and after the 3-week training programme
Change in fall-risk related mobility
Assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Longer TUG times indicate worse mobility (and thus higher fall risk).
Time frame: Assessment before and after the 3-week training programme
Change in ability to change directions while stepping
Assessed using the Four Square Step Test (FSST). The FSST is timed, with longer times indicating worse ability.
Time frame: Assessment before and after the 3-week training programme
Change in walking speed over a short distance
Assessed using the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
Time frame: Assessment before and after the 3-week training programme
Change in walking speed over a long distance
Assessed using the 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
Time frame: Assessment before and after the 3-week training programme
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