Influence of robot-assisted end-effector gait training on muscle activity of the lower extremities in stroke patients compared to conventional gait training.

The rehabilitation of stroke patients is a complex challenge that requires targeted and effective therapy. In a study conducted by Naoki Tanaka from the Department of Physical Therapy of the School of Rehabilitation at the Tokyo Professional University of Health Sciences in Tokyo, Japan, the effectiveness of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) compared to conventional gait training (CGT) was investigated in stroke patients. The study focussed on measuring muscle activity before and after the intervention and on differences in muscle activity changes between the two training methods.

A total of 30 stroke patients took part in the study, with 17 of the participants assigned to the RAGT group and 13 to the CGT group. Both groups underwent either robot-assisted gait training with a foot-pad movement interface robot or conventional gait training, each for 20 minutes and over a period of 20 sessions.

The measured results included muscle activity of the lower extremities and walking speed. The measurements were taken before the start of the intervention and at the end of the 4-week intervention.

Analysis of the data showed that the RAGT group exhibited a significant increase in muscle activity in the gastrocnemius muscle, while the CGT group showed increased muscle activity in the rectus femoris muscle. Particularly in the terminal support phase of the gait cycle, the increase in muscle activity in the gastrocnemius muscle was significantly higher in the RAGT group compared to the CGT group.

The results of this study suggest that robot-assisted gait training with one type of end effector is more effective than conventional gait training, particularly in increasing muscle activity in the gastrocnemius muscle. This has potentially far-reaching implications for the rehabilitation of stroke patients, as targeted stimulation of specific muscles can promote functional recovery and improve walking ability. Future research and clinical applications could focus on how these findings can be integrated into individual patient care to further optimise the effectiveness of rehabilitation.