Article

This study investigates the effectiveness of Lokomat + conventional
therapy in recovering walking ability in non-ambulatory subacute stroke subjects
involved in inpatient rehabilitation. METHOD: Thirty first-ever stroke patients
completed 8 weeks of intervention. One group (n = 16) received Lokomat therapy
twice a week, combined with three times 30 min a week of conventional overground
therapy. The second group (n = 14) received conventional assisted overground
therapy only, during a similar amount of time (3.5 h a week). The intervention
was part of the normal rehabilitation program. Primary outcome measure was
walking speed. Secondary outcome measures assessed other walking- and
mobility-related tests, lower-limb strength and quality of life measures. All
outcome measures were assessed before and after the intervention and at wk 24 and
wk 36 after start of the intervention. RESULTS: Patients showed significant (p <
0.05) gains in walking speed, other walking- and mobility related tests, and
strength of the paretic knee extensors relative to baseline at all assessments.
However, there were no significant differences in improvements in any of the
variables between groups at any time during the study. CONCLUSION: These results
indicate that substituting Lokomat therapy for some of conventional therapy is as
effective in recovering walking ability in non-ambulatory stroke patients as
conventional therapy alone. Implications for Rehabilitation Recovery of walking
after stroke is important. Robot-assisted therapy is currently receiving much
attention in research and rehabilitation practice as devices such as the Lokomat
seem to be promising assistive devices. Technical developments, sub-optimal study
designs in literature and new therapy insights warrant new effectiveness studies.
RESULTS of a financially and practically feasible study indicate that
substituting Lokomat therapy for some of conventional therapy is as effective in
recovering walking ability in non-ambulatory stroke patients as compared to
conventional overground therapy alone.

Langue : ANGLAIS