A novel robot-assisted training approach for improving gait symmetry after stroke

IEEE Int Conf Rehabil Robot. 2017 Jul:2017:222-227. doi: 10.1109/ICORR.2017.8009250.

Abstract

Gait asymmetry as a consequence of hemiparesis is known as a serious long-term disability, where typical compensatory gait movements are used by stroke subjects in order to cope with their daily activities. This study presents a gait symmetry training approach consisting of the adaptive robot assistance with the combination of the visual feedback integrated in Balance Assessment Robot for treadmill walking (BAR-TM). The support algorithm is based on gait temporal parameters that change the level of assistive support, which was triggered at different gait subphase events. The presented approach was evaluated on a post-stroke subject in a large number of training sessions. The results have shown significant improvement of gait symmetry indicating that the proposed rehabilitation method has significant potential that should be explored in further studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Exercise Therapy / instrumentation
  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Gait / physiology*
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / rehabilitation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Robotics / instrumentation*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Stroke Rehabilitation / instrumentation
  • Stroke Rehabilitation / methods*