The influence of thoracolumbosacral orthoses on standing balance in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a pilot study

Background and aim: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of thoracolumbosacral orthoses (TLSOs) on antero-posterior (AP) sway, medio-lateral (ML) sway and displacement of the center of pressure (COP) during a longitudinal study in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods: Eight females aged between 12 and 14.5 years participated in this study. Evaluations were performed prior to the TLSO intervention as a baseline condition, after 1 month, and after 4 months of orthosis use by assessing balance when standing statically on different surfaces. Results: When standing on both lower limbs on a solid surface there were significant differences in ML sway with the eyes both open and closed, and also in A/P sway but only when standing on a solid surface with the eyes open and also when standing on a foam surface with the eyes closed with TLSO use. When standing on the dominant leg, ML sway significantly improved, but AP sway only improved with a foam base surface with the eyes open. Conclusion: This study demonstrated positive effects of wearing a TLSO in improving quiet standing balance and standing on the dominant lower extremity in subjects with AIS after 4 months of brace use.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Due to a change in body shape such as that caused by scoliosis, human posture changes and spinal deformities affect the position of the center of support, and thus balance ability may change.

• AIS subjects have poor standing stability compared to a healthy matched control group.

• Brace wearing had positive effect in improving quiet standing balance and standing on the dominant lower extremity in subjects with AIS undergoing brace treatment after 4 months of TLSO use.

     

Evaluation of the performance of paraplegic subjects during walking with a new design of reciprocal gait orthosis

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) influences a person's ability to stand and walk. Various orthoses have been developed to solve these standing and walking problems, however, patients still experience high energy consumption during walking and high forces on the upper limbs. A new reciprocal gait orthosis (RGO) was designed to address these problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the new orthosis design with paraplegic subjects. Method: Three paraplegic subjects with the lesion at level T12 and three able-bodied subjects were included in this study. Hip and pelvis range of motion and vertical ground reaction force were evaluated using the Qualysis motion analyzer system and a Kistler force plate. Energy consumption was measured with the Polar heart rate monitoring system. The differences between SCI individuals when walking with a Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (KAFO) and the new RGO, and the differences between able-bodied and paraplegic subjects were evaluated by the use of paired sample and two sample t test, respectively. Result: The results showed that energy consumption and gait analysis outcomes with new RGO orthosis were better than the KAFO. However, there was a large difference between paraplegic and able-bodied subjects while walking with the new orthosis. Conclusion: The new RGO design performed better than a KAFO in terms of energy consumption, walking style and vertical ground reaction force. Therefore, it appears that RGO may be a useful orthosis for patients with paraplegia.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Walking and standing of the subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) improve their physiological and physiological health.

• This study introduces a new type of orthosis design in order to improve the abilities of SCI subjects during walking and standing.

• It seems that the new design works better than available orthoses (KAFO).

     

早期使用踝足矫形器对脑卒中偏瘫患者步行周期及时相的影响

目的：探讨早期使用踝足矫形器（AFO）对脑卒中偏瘫患者步行能力的促进作用及因素分析。方法：将早期脑卒中偏瘫患者21例随机分为实验组11例和对照组10例，实验组采用AFO与常规康复干预，对照组仅予以常规康复干预治疗。发病3个月时，使用索尼PC330E型数码摄像机录下患者在明显标记的步行道上行走过程，用Quick Time中文版6．0播放软件播放，经慢放、图像分解获得步态周期和各时相的数据。结果：两组患者在治疗前的一般资料差异无显著性意义（P〉0．05）；3个月时，两组的步态周期和患肢／健肢步长（空间不对称性）之间的差异有显著性意义（P〈0．05）。结论：早期使用AFO可以促进脑卒中偏瘫患者步态周期及各时相的改善。     

早期使用踝足矫形器对脑卒中偏瘫患者步行功能影响的表面肌电信号研究

摘要 目的：观察早期应用佩戴踝足矫形器（AFO）进行康复训练治疗脑卒中患者偏瘫步态的临床疗效。 方法：将63例脑卒中患者随机分为治疗组（Z组）和对照组（D组）。两组均按常规予以对症支持治疗和康复治疗,治疗组在对照组基础上加用AFO,康复训练4周后进行评定。治疗前后分别采用二维步态分析仪、表面肌电图机及相应量表评定两组患者的步行能力（包括步态参数及步行功能分级）、踝关节控制肌群（胫前肌及腓肠肌外侧头）的积分肌电值（iEMG）、运动功能、平衡功能、日常生活活动能力。 结果：治疗前后对比,治疗组步行能力的差异有显著性意义（P＜0.01）;对照组步行能力的差异也有显著性意义（P＜0.01）。治疗后治疗组步行能力、下肢运动功能、平衡功能、日常生活活动能力、踝关节控制肌群肌力与对照组相比差异有显著性意义（P＜0.05）,治疗组优于对照组。 结论：早期佩戴AFO能够促进偏瘫患者步行能力、平衡功能、运动功能、日常生活活动能力、踝关节控制肌群肌力的恢复。     

The effect of fixed ankle foot orthoses in children with cerebral palsy

Purpose.?To identify the characteristics of children with cerebral palsy who benefited from tuning of their fixed ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) to create a screening tool.

Method.?A retrospective review was conducted using video records of 21 independently walking children with cerebral palsy who were referred to a Gait Laboratory for AFO tuning. All showed a ground reaction vector (GRV) in front of the knee (extending) when barefoot. The stance phase was digitised to obtain kinematic and kinetic parameters. Effectiveness of AFO tuning was judged by optimisation of the GRV at the knee and statistical and scatter plot analysis sought to discriminate between those who tuned and those who did not.

Results.?Analysis showed clear distinction between the two groups based on knee kinematics. Those who tuned showed flexion of no more than 20° in the first third of stance combined with movement towards extension in the second third of stance to a minimum of 10° flexion or less.

Conclusions.?This study has created a screening tool to identify children likely to benefit from AFO tuning based on kinematic data and which could be used in the community.     

Efficacy of corrective spinal orthoses on gait and energy consumption in scoliosis subjects: a literature review

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a progressive growth disease that affects spinal anatomy, mobility, and left-right trunk symmetry. As a consequence, AIS can modify human gait. Spinal orthoses are a commonly used conservative method for the treatment of AIS.

Objective: This review evaluated the AIS spinal orthosis literature that involved gait and energy consumption evaluations.

Study design: Literature review.

Method: According to the population intervention comparison outcome measure methods and based on selected keywords, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria.

Results: People with AIS who wore a spinal orthosis, compared with able-bodied participants, walked slower with decreased hip and pelvic movements, decreased hip mediolateral forces, ground reaction force asymmetry, and excessive energy cost. Pelvis and hip frontal plane motion decreased when wearing an orthosis. Hip and pelvis movement symmetry improved when using an orthosis. Ankle and foot kinematics did not change with orthotic intervention. People with AIS continued to have excessive energy expenditure with an orthosis.

Conclusion: Spinal orthoses may be considered for improving the walking style, although energy cost does not decline following the orthotic intervention.

• Implications for Rehabilitations

• Problems related to scoliosis include reduced quality of life, disability, pain, postural alterations, sensory perturbations, standing instability and gait modifications.

• Wearing corrective spinal orthoses in AIS subjects produce a reduction in walking speed and cadence, increase in stride length and reduction of gait load asymmetry compared to without brace condition.

• Spinal orthoses do not decline excessive energy expenditure to walk versus without it.

     

康复机器人辅助步行训练对脑瘫患儿步行能力的影响

摘要 目的：探讨康复机器人辅助步行训练对脑瘫患儿步行能力的影响。 方法：将32例患儿随机分为机器人组和对照组,每组16例,均进行8周康复训练。所有患儿均采用常规康复治疗,机器人组在此基础上给予康复机器人辅助步行训练。分别在训练前和训练后采用粗大运动功能测试量表(GMFM)中D区和E区评分进行评定。 结果：两组患儿各项指标在治疗前无显著性差异(P>0.05)。经过治疗后,对照组与机器人组患儿的GMFM D区评分分别为59.33±20.69,77.24±17.35;E区评分分别为：41.58±9.81,49.81±21.06,两组评分较治疗前都明显提高(P<0.01),且机器人组的评分优于对照组（P<0.05）。 结论：康复机器人辅助步行训练可显著提高脑瘫患儿的步行能力。     

运动想象对脑卒中患者偏瘫步态和步行能力的影响

目的:探讨运动想象对脑卒中患者步态的时间与空间参数和步行能力的影响。方法:选择34例慢性偏瘫患者分为治疗组(n=18)和对照组(n=16),采用运动解析系统评测运动想象前后及12周随访时的最大步行速度、步态时相和时间-空间参数。结果:运动想象治疗前后及第12周随访时,最大步行速度、步态时间-空间参数、时相参数和步态不对称指数差异均有显著性意义(P0.01),治疗6周后与对照组比较差异也有显著性意义(P0.05)。PostHoc检验,治疗前与12周随访时比较,步频、步幅、健侧步长和不对称指数差异有显著性意义(P0.05);与治疗第3周比较,所有评价指标差异有显著性意义(P0.05);与第6周比较,除双腿支撑期外,其他参数差异均有显著性意义(P0.05);治疗第6周和12周随访时比较,只有不对称指数差异有显著性意义(P0.01)。结论:运动想象可以改善偏瘫步态时间-空间和时相参数,矫正步态不对称,提高步行能力。     

The effects of pole walking on arm lymphedema and cardiovascular fitness in women treated for breast cancer: a pilot and feasibility study

Abstract

The benefit of exercise for breast cancer-treated women is well documented. However, studies of cardiovascular fitness training for women with breast cancer-related arm lymphedema are rare. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of intensive pole walking on arm lymphedema in women treated for breast cancer. Thirty-five women with unilateral lymphedema were included and twenty-three completed an eight-week exercise intervention consisting of pole walking 3–5 times per week, for 30–60?min, at 70%–80% of their maximum heart rate, preceded by a two-week control period. Measurements of arm lymphedema (water displacement method), body weight, cardiovascular fitness (sub-maximal bicycle ergometer test) and subjective assessments (disability of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire; heaviness and tightness using a visual analogue scale (VAS); and well-being) were performed before the control period and before and after the exercise intervention. The results indicated a significant reduction in total arm volume of the lymphedema arm (p?=?0.001), in lymphedema absolute volume (p?=?0.014) and lymphedema relative volume (p?=?0.015). Significant decreases of heart rate (p?=?0.004), DASH score (p?=?0.053) and rating of tightness in the arm (p?=?0.043) were found. Positive and negative influences on well-being were reported. The conclusion of this study is that pole walking is feasible for breast cancer-treated women with arm lymphedema.     

一种下肢康复机器人对脑卒中亚急性期偏瘫患者步行功能的影响

目的:观察G-EO System下肢康复机器人对脑卒中亚急性期偏瘫患者步行功能的影响.方法:将40例偏瘫患者随机分为对照组(20例),G-EO组(20例).两组均给予常规的康复功能训练,每天100min,每周5d,共8周.G-EO组除了常规的功能训练外,增加G-EO System下肢机器人为主的步行训练,每天30min,每周5d,共8周.治疗4周后及治疗8周后,采用下肢Fugl-Meyer(FMA)运动功能量表、功能性步行量表(FAC)、Berg平衡量表(BBS)对下肢步行功能的疗效进行评价.结果:治疗前两组患者在FMA运动功能量表,功能性步行量表FAC,Berg平衡量表的评分无显著差异(P＞0.05).治疗后两组患者FMA,FAC,BBS的评估较治疗前均有明显改善(P＜0.05);8周后,G-EO组的FAC,BBS评分均高于对照组(P＜0.05).结论:G-EO System下肢康复机器人对于脑卒中亚急性期偏瘫患者的步行功能和提高步行的稳定性有积极作用.     

The effect of valgus bracing on the knee adduction moment during gait and running in male subjects with varus alignment

Background

Increased mechanical load is one risk factor for osteoarthritis. One possible treatment for this disorder is the use of knee braces in order to redistribute joint loading, which may inhibit the progression of the disease. The hypothesis was: knee adduction moment can be reduced with the use of a dedicated knee orthosis, which applies an abduction moment at the knee.

Methods

Sixteen healthy male subjects with varus alignment were analysed during walking and running while using an adjustable valgus orthosis. Peak knee adduction moments and knee adduction angular impulses were evaluated through inverse dynamics. Additionally, the abduction moment produced by the orthosis was measured in three different adjustments of valgus angulations (neutral, 4° and 8° valgus) using a strain gauge device.

Findings

During walking, mean reductions of 25% and 36% in the knee adduction angular impulse were found between the conditions without orthosis and 4° and between without orthosis and 8°, respectively. For the running trials mean reductions of 18% and 23% were observed between these same conditions. The first and second peak knee adduction moments also decreased during walking with different orthosis adjustments (changes from 5% to 33%). During running, a significant reduction was observed only between the conditions without orthosis and 8° valgus adjustments (change of 11%).

Interpretation

The orthosis tested in this study was effective in reducing the knee adduction moments during walking and running. This reduction of knee adduction moments during locomotion should contribute to decelerate osteoarthritis progression.     

Immediate effect of different ankle-foot orthosis functions with the same dorsiflexed setting of initial ankle joint angle on walking ability in individuals with chronic stroke: a randomized crossover trial

[Purpose] To investigate how different ankle-foot orthosis functions with the same dorsiflexed setting of initial ankle joint angle affect the walking ability in individuals with chronic stroke. [Participants and Methods] In this randomized crossover study, participants underwent a 10-m walking test and walked on a WalkWay MW-1000 three times under these conditions: (1) without ankle-foot orthosis; (2) with ankle-foot orthosis with an adjustable posterior strut at 5° of fixed dorsiflexion; and (3) with ankle-foot orthosis with an adjustable posterior strut at 5–20° of restricted dorsiflexion. The primary outcome was walking speed on the 10-m walking test. The secondary outcomes were walking speed and spatiotemporal factors measured by the WalkWay MW-1000. [Results] Fifteen individuals (mean [standard deviation] age, 60.9 [8.6] years; male, 12) were enrolled. Walking speeds of the ankle-foot orthosis with fixed and restricted dorsiflexion groups were significantly higher than those without the orthosis; however, no outcomes differed significantly between ankle-foot orthosis with fixed versus restricted dorsiflexion groups. [Conclusion] In individuals with chronic stroke, ankle-foot orthosis function may be less important than the dorsiflexed setting of initial ankle joint angle in the ankle-foot orthosis.     

C6—T6脊髓损伤患者应用往复式步行矫形器的疗效分析

目的：观察往复式步行矫形器对T6以上脊髓损伤患者心肺功能和ADL能力及步行能力的影响。方法：将40例C6—T6以上脊髓损伤患者分为观察组18例（装配往复式步行矫形器者）和对照组22例（未装配者）。对照组进行系统综合康复治疗（包括有氧训练、肌力训练、站立训练、平衡、转移训练、被动关节活动度训练、心肺功能训练、ADL训练、膀胱功能等其他综合康复训练），观察组进行系统综合康复治疗外还进行装配步行矫形器前训练、矫形器装配后训练及步态步行训练。结果：经过12周的训练后两组患者的心肺功能和日常生活活动能力明显改善，观察组明显优于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组18例患者装配矫形器及训练后患者10m步行时间平均87.27±39.57s， 6min步行距离为46.35±26.24m ，在装配往复式步行矫形器后7例可达到室内治疗性步行，11例可达到实用性步行，对照组无一例能步行。结论：往复式步行矫形器对改善T6以上脊髓损伤患者心肺功能、ADL能力及步行能力有重要意义。     

The effect of a semi-rigid thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) on foot pressure in elderly subjects presenting with spinal hyperkyphosis

Abstract

Purpose: The ageing process can be accompanied by a degeneration of the spine and increase the risk of thoracic hyperkyphosis (excessive spinal forward curvature) amongst elderly people. This condition can in turn impair mobility, reduce balance, and increase the risk of falling and mortality in affected individuals. The use of corrective orthotic bracing has been shown to improve spinal posture, and increase stability and balance amongst the elderly. However, there is little evidence that evaluates the use of corrective braces on foot pressure changes in these subjects.

Methods: In this study, we evaluated the use of a thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) on 19 subjects over 60?years old who presented with hyperkyphosis. We measured foot pressure using the Pedar-X system before (without brace) and after (with brace) immediate using a TLSO in both static (quite standing) and dynamic (walking on a 5 meters freeway) scenarios.

Results: The results demonstrated that using a TLSO immediately decreases forefoot pressures in stasis, and around the first metatarsal, as well as pressures relating to the second to fifth metatarsals under dynamic conditions. Hindfoot pressures were increased, but not significantly.

Conclusion: This study showed that using a TLSO can be beneficial for elderly people with hyperkyphosis.

• Implications for rehabilitation

• The ageing process can be accompanied by a degeneration of the spine and increase the risk of thoracic hyperkyphosis.

• The use of corrective orthotic bracing has been shown to improve spinal posture, and increase stability and balance amongst the elderly.

• Using a TLSO decreases forefoot pressures in stasis, and around the first metatarsal, as well as pressures relating to the second to fifth metatarsals under dynamic conditions.

     

基于可穿戴式步行引导仪的可视化步行训练对帕金森病冻结步态患者步行能力的影响

目的：探讨基于可穿戴式步行引导仪的可视化步行训练对帕金森病冻结步态患者步行能力的影响。方法：选取23例帕金森病冻结步态患者为试验组,同时选取20例性别、年龄等匹配的健康者为对照组。试验组给予利用可穿戴式步行引导仪的可视化步行训练,20min/次,2次/日,训练1周。利用Vicon三维步态分析系统收集试验组训练前后和对照组时空参数、非优势侧及优势侧运动学参数、非优势侧及优势侧地面反作用力参数(包括前-后侧峰值、内-外侧峰值及纵向第一峰值)。结果：(1)训练后,试验组患者步速及双侧步长均明显增加,步频、双支撑期明显减小,与训练前相比,差异均有显著性意义(P<0.05);训练后,试验组患者优势侧步长、步频及双支撑期与对照组比较,差异均无显著性意义(P>0.05)。(2)训练后,试验组患者双侧髋关节着地角度、踝背屈及跖屈最大角度及下肢关节活动范围均明显增加,膝关节着地角度减小,踝关节第一峰值出现的阶段延迟,与训练前相比,差异均有显著性意义(P<0.05);训练后,试验组患者双侧(膝关节着地角度、踝背屈最大角度、踝关节第一峰值出现阶段、下肢关节活动范围)和优势侧(髋关节着地角度...     

The evaluation of walking footwear on postural stability in healthy older adults: an exploratory study

Background

It has been proposed that walking footwear enhances postural stability in healthy older adults. The aim of the study is to evaluate differences between two different types of athletic footwear in relation to postural stability in healthy older adults.

Methods

A convenience sample of 21 healthy older adults with mean (SD) of 74 (5) years was recruited. Postural stability was measured using a force plate for anterior–posterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) centre of pressure excursion for 30 s with eyes closed and open using two different types of athletic footwear. Each participant performed three repetitions of bipedal standing. Two-way analysis of variance tested the interaction effect of the footwear and eye conditions on anterior–posterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) postural sway.

Findings

There was no significant footwear–eye condition interaction for anterior-posterior(AP) postural sway but there were significant main effects for both the footwear and eye conditions (P < 0.05). The significant main effects for the footwear conditions occurred between barefeet and the two shoe conditions, but not between the two shoe conditions. For mediolateral (ML) postural sway there was no significant interaction effect and no main effects for the footwear and eye conditions (P > 0.05).

Interpretation

The results suggest that older adults demonstrate an initial destabilisation effect which could possibly be of benefit to functional ability but the long-term effects of ability of athletic footwear to enhance postural stability requires further investigation.     

Recovery of walking ability using a robotic device in subacute stroke patients: a randomized controlled study

Purpose: This study investigates the effectiveness of Lokomat + conventional therapy in recovering walking ability in non-ambulatory subacute stroke subjects involved in inpatient rehabilitation. Method: Thirty first-ever stroke patients completed 8 weeks of intervention. One group (n?=?16) received Lokomat therapy twice a week, combined with three times 30?min a week of conventional overground therapy. The second group (n?=?14) received conventional assisted overground therapy only, during a similar amount of time (3.5?h a week). The intervention was part of the normal rehabilitation program. Primary outcome measure was walking speed. Secondary outcome measures assessed other walking- and mobility-related tests, lower-limb strength and quality of life measures. All outcome measures were assessed before and after the intervention and at wk 24 and wk 36 after start of the intervention. Results: Patients showed significant (p?Conclusion: These results indicate that substituting Lokomat therapy for some of conventional therapy is as effective in recovering walking ability in non-ambulatory stroke patients as conventional therapy alone.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Recovery of walking after stroke is important.

• Robot-assisted therapy is currently receiving much attention in research and rehabilitation practice as devices such as the Lokomat seem to be promising assistive devices.

• Technical developments, sub-optimal study designs in literature and new therapy insights warrant new effectiveness studies.

• Results of a financially and practically feasible study indicate that substituting Lokomat therapy for some of conventional therapy is as effective in recovering walking ability in non-ambulatory stroke patients as compared to conventional overground therapy alone.

     

Lokomat机器人训练时长对脑卒中偏瘫患者步行功能提升效果的临床研究

目的:研究Lokomat智能康复机器人训练治疗时长对不同步行功能水平脑卒中偏瘫患者功能改变的效果,为脑卒中偏瘫患者下肢机器人康复治疗方案的选择提供依据。方法:收集120例脑卒中偏瘫患者,将功能性步行量表(FAC)评价为0、1级的患者纳入低水平步行功能组,FAC评价为2、3级的患者纳入高水平步行功能组,每组60例。每组再按照下肢机器人训练时长分为20min组、30min组和40min组,各20例。所有患者均接受为期4周的常规康复训练+机器人训练,比较各组治疗前后简化Fugl-Meyer运动功能量表(FMA)、Berg平衡量表(BBS)、功能性步行量表(FAC)评分。结果:各组患者治疗前后的FMA、BBS、FAC评分比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01),在低水平步行功能组中,下肢机器人训练时长为20min的患者FMA、BBS、FAC评分提高较训练30min和40min的患者更明显,而高水平步行功能组训练时长为40min的患者FMA、BBS、FAC结果提高更显著(P<0.05)。结论:Lokomat机器人不同步行训练时长对脑卒中偏瘫患者步行功能有所影响。当患者步行功能水平较低时...     

The effect of weight-bearing exercise with low frequency, whole body vibration on lumbosacral proprioception: a pilot study on normal subjects

Patients with low back pain (LBP) often present with impaired proprioception of the lumbopelvic region. For this reason, proprioception training usually forms part of the rehabilitation protocols. New exercise equipment that produces whole body, low frequency vibration (WBV) has been developed to improve muscle function, and reportedly improves proprioception. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether weightbearing exercise given in conjunction with WBV would affect lumbosacral position sense in healthy individuals. For this purpose, twenty-five young individuals with no LBP were assigned randomly to an experimental or control group. The experimental group received WBV for five minutes while holding a static, semi-squat position. The control group adopted the same weightbearing position for equal time but received no vibration. A two-dimensional motion analysis system measured the repositioning accuracy of pelvic tilting in standing. The experimental (WBV) group demonstrated a significant improvement in repositioning accuracy over time (mean 0.78 degrees) representing 39% improvement. It was concluded that WBV may induce improvements in lumbosacral repositioning accuracy when combined with a weightbearing exercise. Future studies with WBV should focus on evaluating its effects with different types of exercise, the exercise time needed for optimal outcomes, and the effects on proprioception deficits in LBP patients.     

Gait training of subacute stroke patients using a hybrid assistive limb: a pilot study

Purpose To determine whether gait training with a hybrid assistive limb (HAL) as an exoskeleton robotic device was safe and could increase functional mobility and gait ability in subacute stroke patients. Methods The participants were eight patients with post-stroke hemiparesis whose walking impairment and gait recovery curves had plateaued. The intervention program was gait training using HAL and a walker for 20?min daily 5 days a week for 5 weeks. The 10-m maximum walking speed (MWS), self-selected walking speed (SWS) and 2-min-walk test (2MT) without HAL were used as primary outcome measures to determine the effects of training. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Motor Recovery after Stroke (FMA) and functional ambulation category (FAC) were assessed as secondary outcomes. These measures were assessed before and after the 5-week intervention program and were analyzed statistically using a paired t-test. Results All eight participants completed the intervention program with no adverse events. There were significant increases in MWS, SWS and 2MT. BBS, FMA and FAC also increased, but not significantly. Conclusion The new HAL exoskeleton robotic device was efficient and safe for improving motor function and gait in patients in the subacute stage after stroke.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Gait training using HAL will improve gait ability of individuals with post stroke.

• The HAL achieve intensive gait training without increase spasticity and abnormal gait pattern.