• 대한물리의학회지
• /
• 제17권4호
• /
• pp.65-73
• /
• 2022

PURPOSE: The present research examined the effects of progressive robot-assisted step training on the strength of the lower extremity and gait speed of an individual with stroke through changes between the baseline and the intervention stage (1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months). METHODS: A single-subject (A-B) design was performed for a chronic stroke patient aged 70 years old. The robot-assisted step training was conducted three times a week during 12 months (40 minutes/session), and the assessment was conducted a total of seven times between the baseline and the intervention (No. 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months) to determine the effect of the intervention. RESULTS: As a result of the intervention, the muscle strength at the lower extremity of the paralysis side increased by the greatest extent 12 months after the intervention compared to the baseline, and the gait speed via the 10-meter walk test was increased as well. CONCLUSION: Long-term robot-assisted step training might be an effective intervention for improving the strength of the paretic lower extremity muscles and gait speed in stroke patients with difficulty walking independently. Further studies with sufficient sample sizes and a randomized control group will be needed to evaluate the long-term effects of robotic stepping rehabilitation.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
• /
• 제17권7호
• /
• pp.459-466
• /
• 2016

본 연구는 아급성기 뇌졸중 환자에서 로봇 보조치료법이 운동능력 및 기능적인 회복에 미치는 효과를 알아보고자 하였다. 환자 53명이 연구에 참여하였다. 로봇보조 보행치료군은 고식적인 치료에 추가로 Lokomat$^{(R)}$ 이용하여 하루에 삼십분씩, 일주일에 5회, 4주 동안 시행하였으며, 대조군은 고식적인 치료에 추가로 하루에 삼십분씩 고식적인 치료를 시행 받았다. 모든 환자들은 임상지표의 비교를 위해, 치료 전과 4주간의 치료 후 Fugl-Meyer assessment, Motricity index, functional ambulation category, Berg balance scale, 10m 보행검사, 한국판 수정 바델지수, 한국판 간이 정신 상태검사와 벡 우울증 척도를 평가 받았다. 환자들은 기능회복과 체성 감각 유발전위 검사 결과의 관계를 알아보기 위해 유발 전위 검사를 시행하였다. 아급성기 뇌졸중 환자에서 로봇 보조 보행치료군에서 대조군에 비해 하지의 운동기능, 보행 능력, 일상생활능력의 유의한 호전이 나타났다. 체성 감각 유발 전위 검사의 결과는 임상 지표들의 관련성 분석에서 Motricity index와 한국판 수정 바델지수와 관련이 있는 것으로 나타나 아급성기 뇌졸중 환자의 기능을 예측하는데 유용할 것으로 생각된다. 로봇 보조 보행치료는 아급성기 뇌졸중 환자의 운동기능과 보행기능의 회복을 촉진하는 것으로 생각된다.

• 대한통합의학회지
• /
• 제11권2호
• /
• pp.221-230
• /
• 2023

Purpose : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of virtual reality combined robot assist gait training (VRG) on improvement of balance and respiratory function in chronic stroke patients. Methods : A single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 35 chronic stroke patients. They were randomly allocated 2 groups; VRG group (n=18) and conservative treatment group (CG; n=17). The VRG group received 30 minutes robot assisted gait training combined virtual reality training, robot assisted gait training was conducted in parallel using a virtual reality device (2 sessions of 15 minutes in a 3D-recorded walking environment and 15 minutes in a downtown walking environment). In the conservative treatment group, neurodevelopmental therapy and exercise therapy were performed according to the function of stroke patients. Each group performed 30 minutes a day 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome balance and respiratory function were measured by a balance measurement system (BioRescue, Marseille, France), Berg balance scale, functional reach test for balance, Spirometry (Cosmed Micro Quark, Cosmed, Italy) for respiratory function Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁), and maximum expiratory volume (PEF) were measured according to the protocol. The measurement were performed before and after the 8 weeks intervention period. Results : Both groups demonstrated significant improvement of outcome in balance and respiratory function during intervention period. VRG revealed significant differences in balance and respiratory function as compared to the CG groups (p<.05). Our results showed that VRG was more effective on balance and respiratory function in patients with chronic stroke. Conclusion : Our findings indicate that VRG can improve balance and respiratory function, highlight the benefits of VRG. This study will be able to be used as an intervention data for recovering balance and respiratory function in chronic stroke patients.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
• /
• 제28권3호
• /
• pp.215-226
• /
• 2021

Background: Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) is an effective method for walking rehabilitation. Additionally, the body weight support (BWS) system reduces muscle fatigue while walking. However, no previous studies have investigated the effects of RAGT with BWS on isokinetic strength of quadriceps and hamstring muscles. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of torque, work, and power on the quadriceps and hamstring muscles during RAGT, using the BWS of three conditions in healthy subjects. The three different BWS conditions were BWS 50%, BWS 20%, and full weight bearing (FWB). Methods: Eleven healthy subjects (7 males and 4 females) participated in this study. The Walkbot_S was used to cause fatigue of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles and the Biodex Systems 4 Pro was used to measure the isokinetic torque, work, and power of them. After RAGT trials of each of the three conditions, the subjects performed isokinetic concentric knee flexion and extension, five at an angular velocity of 60°/s and fifteen at an angular velocity of 180°/s. One-way repeated analysis of variance was used to determine significant differences in all the variables. The least significant difference test was used for post-hoc analysis. Results: On both sides, there were significant differences in peak torque (PT) of knee extension and flexion between the three BWS conditions at an angular velocity of 60°/s and 180°/s conditions. A post-hoc comparison revealed that the PT in the BWS 50% was significantly greater than in the BWS 20% and the FWB and the PT in the BWS 20% was significantly greater than in the FWB. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the lower BWS during RAGT seems to lower the isokinetic torque, work, and power of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles because of the muscle fatigue increase.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• 제11권4호
• /
• pp.471-477
• /
• 2022

Objective: The greatest motor impairment after stroke is a decreased ability to walk. Most stroke patients achieve independent gait, but approximately 70% do not reach normal speed, making it difficult to reach a standard of daily living. Therefore, a wearable exoskeleton is recommended for optimal independent gait because different residual disorders hinder motor function after stroke. This review synthesized the effect on gait speed in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which gait training using a wearable exoskeleton was performed on post-stroke patients for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis of a randomized controlled trials Methods: RCTs using wearable exoskeletons in robotic rehabilitation of post-stroke patients were extracted from an international electronic database. For quality assessment and quantitative analysis, RevMan 5.4 was used. Quantitative analysis was calculated as the standardized mean difference (SMD) and presented as a random effect model. Results: Five studies involving 197 post-stroke patients were included in this review. As a result of the analysis using a random effect model, gait training using a wearable exoskeleton in post-stroke patients showed a significant improvement in gait speed compared to the non-wearing exoskeleton (SMD=1.15, 95% confidence interval: 0.52 to 1.78). Conclusions: This study concluded that a wearable exoskeleton was more effective than conventional gait training in improving the gait speed in post-stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• 제33권5호
• /
• pp.231-237
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study sought to investigate the effects of robot-assisted gait training on balance in total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients after bilateral avascular necrosis (AVN). Methods: This case study in two patients utilized an 'A-B-A' single-subject experimental design that included five days of pre-intervention, followed by five days of intervention, and five days of post-intervention. The intervention involved the use of a standing inclined robot (R-bot) for 15 minutes. The outcome measures were evaluated using the Functional Reaching Test (FRT), Time Up to Go (TUG), and the Modified One Leg Standing Test (OLST). Results: Patient 1 showed improvement based on data gathered from baseline A to intervention period B, with results as follows: FRT improved from 27.7 cm to 41.28 cm, OLST LT from 14.03 seconds to 67.37 seconds, OLST RT from 2.94 seconds to 35.97 seconds, and TUG from 12.96 seconds to 7.82 seconds. Patient 2 also showed improvement from baseline A to intervention period B, with results as follows: FRT improved from 17.18 cm to 24.3 cm, OLST LT from 11.53 seconds to 52.01 seconds, OLST RT from 12.99 seconds to 62.19 seconds, and TUG from 27.31 seconds to 12.99 seconds. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, robotic rehabilitation during the early stages after surgery is effective for promoting balance in patients who have undergone THA due to bilateral AVN.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
• /
• 제17권10호
• /
• pp.562-568
• /
• 2016

본 연구의 목적은 가상현실과 로봇보조재활치료를 이용하여 뇌졸중 후 푸셔 증후군에 대한 치료적인 효과를 조사하고자 하기 위함이다. 총 10명의 뇌졸중 후 푸셔 증후군을 보이는 환자가 모집되었다. 환자는 각각 5 명씩 로봇보조재활치료와 대조군으로 배정되었다. 실험군은 로봇보조재활치료와 일반적인 재활치료를 함께 받았으며, 대조군은 하루 2회 일반적인 재활치료를 받았다. 중재 시간은 30분간 진행되었으며, 주 5회, 4주간 시행하였다. 치료 전후 변화는 Scale for contraversive pushing (SCP), Berg balance scale (BBS), falling index (FI), Timed up and go test (TUG)을 이용하여 측정하였다. 4 주간의 중재 치료 후 로봇보조재활치료 군에서 SCP (p=0.046), BBS (p=0.046), FI (p=0.038), TUG (p=0.038)은 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 향상되었다. 또한 SCP와 BBS (p=0.024), FI (p=0.039), TUG (p=0.030)는 유의한 상관관계가 관찰되었다. 결과적으로 가상현실을 이용한 로봇보조재활치료는 일반적인 재활치료에 비하여 뇌졸중 후 푸셔 증후군을 회복하는데 더 도움이 되었으며, 푸셔 증후군의 회복은 균형과 보행기능의 향상과 관련이 있었다.