A Robot-Assisted Therapy to Increase Muscle Strength in Hemiplegic Gait Rehabilitation

• Published in: Frontiers in Neurorobotics
• Main Authors: Gil-Castillo, Javier, Barria, P., Aguilar Cárdenas, R., Baleta Abarza, K., Andrade Gallardo, A., Biskupovic Mancilla, A., Azorín, J. M., Moreno, Juan Camilo
• Other Authors: Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (Chile)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Frontiers in Bioscience Publications 2022
• Subjects: brain diseases; cerebrovascular disorders; gait rehabilitation; hemiparesis; robot therapy; stroke; Magallanes; Sur Punta; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10261/277523; https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbot.2022.837494

This study examines the feasibility of using a robot-assisted therapy methodology based on the Bobath concept to perform exercises applied in conventional therapy for gait rehabilitation in stroke patients. The aim of the therapy is to improve postural control and movement through exercises based on repetitive active-assisted joint mobilization, which is expected to produce strength changes in the lower limbs. As therapy progresses, robotic assistance is gradually reduced and the patient's burden increases with the goal of achieving a certain degree of independence. The relationship between force and range of motion led to the analysis of both parameters of interest. The study included 23 volunteers who performed 24 sessions, 2 sessions per week for 12 weeks, each lasting about 1 h. The results showed a significant increase in hip abduction and knee flexion strength on both sides, although there was a general trend of increased strength in all joints. However, the range of motion at the hip and ankle joints was reduced. The usefulness of this platform for transferring exercises from conventional to robot-assisted therapies was demonstrated, as well as the benefits that can be obtained in muscle strength training. However, it is suggested to complement the applied therapy with exercises for the maintenance and improvement of the range of motion. This study was sponsored and financially supported by Innovation and Competitiveness Fund 2017 of the Regional Government of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, Punta Arenas, Chile (BIP code Number 30488844-0) and by the Rehabilitation Center “Club de Leones Cruz del Sur”, Punta Arenas, Chile. This work has been also partially funded by CSIC Interdisciplinary Thematic Platform (PTI+) NEUROAGING+ (PTI-NEURO-AGING+).