| Abstract: | [Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects ofrobot-assisted gait training combined with functional electrical stimulation on locomotorrecovery in patients with chronic stroke. [Subjects] The 20 subjects were randomlyassigned into either an experimental group (n = 10) that received a combination ofrobot-assisted gait training and functional electrical stimulation on the ankledorsiflexor of the affected side or a control group (n = 10) that received robot-assistedgait training only. [Methods] Both groups received the respective therapies for30 min/day, 3 days/week for 5 weeks. The outcome was measured using the Modified MotorAssessment Scale (MMAS), Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and gaitparameters through gait analysis (Vicon 370 motion analysis system, Oxford Metrics Ltd.,Oxford, UK). All the variables were measured before and after training. [Results] Steplength and maximal knee extension were significantly greater than those before training inthe experimental group only. Maximal Knee flexion showed a significant difference betweenthe experimental and control groups. The MMAS, BBS, and TUG scores improved significantlyafter training compared with before training in both groups. [Conclusion] We suggest thatthe combination of robot-assisted gait training and functional electrical stimulationencourages patients to actively participate in training because it facilitates locomotorrecovery without the risk of adverse effects.Key words: Robot-assisted gait training, Functional electrical stimulation, Chronic stroke |
