Effects of robotic-assisted gait training on physical capacity, and quality of life among chronic stroke patients: A randomized controlled study

Background: Even though robotic therapy is becoming more commonly used in research protocols for lower limb stroke rehabilitation, there still is a significant gap between research evidence and its use in clinical practice. Therefore, the present study was designed assuming that the wearable mobile gait device training for chronic stroke patients might have different effects on functional independence when compared to training with a stationary gait device. The present study aims to examine the effects of gait training with ExoAthlet exoskeleton and Lokomat Free-D on functional independence, functional capacity, and quality of life in chronic stroke patients.

Methods: The present study included 32 chronic stroke patients. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. Functional independence of patients was evaluated by using Functional Independence Measure (FIM), physical function was assessed by using the 30-second chair stand test (30-CST), functional capacity was measured by using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and quality of life was assessed by using Short Form 36 (SF36). All participants underwent a conventional physiotherapy program for eight weeks, three sessions per week, and each session lasted 60 min. After the physiotherapy program, one group received gait training by using ExoAthlet exoskeleton (ExoAtlet 1 model/2019, Russia), while the other group received training by using Lokomat Free-D (Hocoma, Lokomat Pro Free-D model/2015, Switzerland). Participants were assessed at baseline and post-intervention.

Results: Results achieved in this study revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between FIM, 30-CST, 6MWT, and SF36 scores before and after the treatment in both groups (p < 0.05).There was no difference in FIM, 30-CST, and 6MWT results between Exoskeleton ExoAthlet and Lokomat Free-D groups (p > 0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference between Exoskeleton ExoAthlet and Lokomat Free-D groups in terms of SF-36 sub-parameters "vitality", "mental health", "bodily pain", and "general health perception" (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the use of ExoAthlet exoskeleton and Lokomat Free-D in addition to conventional physiotherapy, was effective in improving functional independence, physical function, functional capacity, and quality of life among chronic stroke patients. Incorporation of robotic gait aids into rehabilitation for chronic stroke patients might offer significant advantages.