Effects of gait training with the Hybrid Assistive Limb on gait ability in stroke patients: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

The Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) is used in training to improve walking ability for stroke patients; however, the quality of the evidence for its effects has not been fully critiqued to date. This study conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials to investigate the effectiveness of post-stroke gait training with the HAL. PubMed, the Cochrane Library, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) were searched for randomized controlled clinical trials evaluating the effect of HAL on gait training in stroke patients, published from the inception of each database until March 2021. Two authors screened the titles and abstracts of articles returned in the initial search and reviewed the full text of articles that met the selection criteria. The risk of bias was assessed using the PEDro scale. Of 273 articles retrieved from the databases, three met all inclusion criteria. One study showed that gait training using HAL improves independence in walking; however, the quality of this study was rated as 4 (medium quality). Other studies did not show improvement with HAL in walking independence. This review did not provide strong evidence to support the effectiveness of HAL in improving walking ability.

Keywords: Functional Ambulation Category; Gait ability; Hybrid Assistive Limb; Stroke.