International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Open Access
ISSN: 2329-9096
ISSN: 2329-9096
John P Scholz
Tanzania
Research Article
Robotic Assist-As-Needed as an Alternative to Therapist-Assisted Gait
Rehabilitation
Author(s): Shraddha Srivastava, Pei Chun Kao, Darcy S Reisman, John P Scholz, Sunil K Agrawal and Jill S HigginsonShraddha Srivastava, Pei Chun Kao, Darcy S Reisman, John P Scholz, Sunil K Agrawal and Jill S Higginson
Objective: Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training (BWSTT) with therapists’ assistance is often used for gait rehabilitation post-stroke. However, this training method is labor-intensive, requiring at least one or as many as three therapists at once for manual assistance. Previously, we demonstrated that providing movement guidance using a performance-based robot-aided gait training (RAGT) that applies a compliant, assist-as-needed force-field improves gait pattern and functional walking ability in people post-stroke. In the current study, we compared the effects of assist-as-needed RAGT combined with functional electrical stimulation and visual feedback with BWSTT to determine if RAGT could serve as an alternative for locomotor training. Methods: Twelve stroke survivors were randomly assigned to one of the two groups, either receiving BWSTT with manual assistance or RAGT with .. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2329-9096.1000370