Effects of Training With a Robot-Virtual Reality System Compared With a Robot Alone on the Gait of Individuals After Stroke

• DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.108.516328
• Publication Date: 2008-11-07T02:46:32Z
• Authors: Anat Mirelman; Paolo Bonato; Judith E. Deutsch
• Keywords: Hemiparesis; Stroke; Gait training; Chronic stroke

Training of the lower extremity (LE) using a robot coupled with virtual environments has shown to transfer improved overground locomotion. The purpose this study was determine whether training LE movements locomotion greater environment or alone.A single, blind, randomized clinical trial conducted. Eighteen individuals poststroke participated in 4-week protocol. One group trained reality (VR) system and other alone. Outcome measures were temporal features gait measured laboratory setting community.Greater changes velocity distance walked demonstrated for robotic device VR than Similarly, significantly improvements number steps taken community that VR. These differences maintained at 3 months' follow-up.The is first demonstrate chronic hemiparesis walking ability better