Article

A novel cable-driven robotic locomotor training system was developed to provide
compliant assistance/resistance forces to the legs during treadmill training in
patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Eleven subjects with
incomplete SCI were recruited to participate in two experiments to test the
feasibility of the robotic gait training system. Specifically, 10 subjects
participated in one experimental session to test the characteristics of the
robotic gait training system and one subject participated in repeated testing
sessions over 8 weeks with the robotic device to test improvements in locomotor
function. Limb kinematics were recorded in one experiment to evaluate the system
characteristics of the cable-driven locomotor trainer and the overground gait
speed and 6 min walking distance were evaluated at pre, 4 and 8 weeks post
treadmill training of a single subject as well. The results indicated that the
cable driven robotic gait training system improved the kinematic performance of
the leg during treadmill walking and had no significant impact on the variability
of lower leg trajectory, suggesting a high backdrivability of the cable system.
In addition, results from a patient with incomplete SCI indicated that prolonged
robotic gait training using the cable robot improved overground gait speed.
Results from this study suggested that a cable driven robotic gait training
system is effective in improving leg kinematic performance, yet allows
variability of gait kinematics. Thus, it seems feasible to improve the locomotor
function in human SCI using this cable driven robotic system, warranting testing
with a larger group of patients.
CI - Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS