Abstract
Background. While manually-assisted body-weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) has revealed improved locomotor function in persons with post-stroke hemiparesis, outcomes are inconsistent and it is very labor intensive. Thus an alternate treatment approach is desirable. Objectives of this pilot study were to: 1) compare the efficacy of body-weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) combined with the Lokomat robotic gait orthosis versus manually-assisted BWSTT for locomotor training post-stroke, and 2) assess effects of fast versus slow treadmill training speed. Methods. Sixteen volunteers with chronic hemiparetic gait (0.62 0.30 m/s) post-stroke were randomly allocated to Lokomat (n = 8) or manual-BWSTT (n = 8) 3×/wk for 4 weeks. Groups were also stratified by fast (mean 0.92 0.15 m/s) or slow (0.58 0.12 m/s) training speeds. The primary outcomes were self-selected overground walking speed and paretic step length ratio. Secondary outcomes included: fast overground walking speed, 6-minute walk test, and a battery of clinical measures. Results. No significant differences in primary outcomes were revealed between Lokomat and manual groups as a result of training. However, within the Lokomat group, self-selected walk speed, paretic step length ratio, and four of the six secondary measures improved (p = 0.040.05, effect sizes = 0.190.60). Within the manual group, only balance scores improved (p = 0.02, effect size = 0.57). Group differences between fast and slow training groups were not revealed (p 0.28). Conclusion. Results suggest that Lokomat training may have advantages over manual-BWSTT following a modest intervention dose in chronic hemiparetic persons and further, that our training speeds produce similar gait improvements. Suggestions for a larger randomized controlled trial with optimal study parameters are provided.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 18 |
| Journal | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 10 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Fingerprint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Rehabilitation
- Health Informatics
Cite this
Pilot study of Lokomat versus manual-assisted treadmill training for locomotor recovery post-stroke. / Westlake, Kelly P.; Patten, Carolynn.
In: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, Vol. 6, No. 1, 18, 10.08.2009.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Pilot study of Lokomat versus manual-assisted treadmill training for locomotor recovery post-stroke
AU - Westlake, Kelly P.
AU - Patten, Carolynn
PY - 2009/8/10
Y1 - 2009/8/10
N2 - Background. While manually-assisted body-weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) has revealed improved locomotor function in persons with post-stroke hemiparesis, outcomes are inconsistent and it is very labor intensive. Thus an alternate treatment approach is desirable. Objectives of this pilot study were to: 1) compare the efficacy of body-weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) combined with the Lokomat robotic gait orthosis versus manually-assisted BWSTT for locomotor training post-stroke, and 2) assess effects of fast versus slow treadmill training speed. Methods. Sixteen volunteers with chronic hemiparetic gait (0.62 0.30 m/s) post-stroke were randomly allocated to Lokomat (n = 8) or manual-BWSTT (n = 8) 3×/wk for 4 weeks. Groups were also stratified by fast (mean 0.92 0.15 m/s) or slow (0.58 0.12 m/s) training speeds. The primary outcomes were self-selected overground walking speed and paretic step length ratio. Secondary outcomes included: fast overground walking speed, 6-minute walk test, and a battery of clinical measures. Results. No significant differences in primary outcomes were revealed between Lokomat and manual groups as a result of training. However, within the Lokomat group, self-selected walk speed, paretic step length ratio, and four of the six secondary measures improved (p = 0.040.05, effect sizes = 0.190.60). Within the manual group, only balance scores improved (p = 0.02, effect size = 0.57). Group differences between fast and slow training groups were not revealed (p 0.28). Conclusion. Results suggest that Lokomat training may have advantages over manual-BWSTT following a modest intervention dose in chronic hemiparetic persons and further, that our training speeds produce similar gait improvements. Suggestions for a larger randomized controlled trial with optimal study parameters are provided.
AB - Background. While manually-assisted body-weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) has revealed improved locomotor function in persons with post-stroke hemiparesis, outcomes are inconsistent and it is very labor intensive. Thus an alternate treatment approach is desirable. Objectives of this pilot study were to: 1) compare the efficacy of body-weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) combined with the Lokomat robotic gait orthosis versus manually-assisted BWSTT for locomotor training post-stroke, and 2) assess effects of fast versus slow treadmill training speed. Methods. Sixteen volunteers with chronic hemiparetic gait (0.62 0.30 m/s) post-stroke were randomly allocated to Lokomat (n = 8) or manual-BWSTT (n = 8) 3×/wk for 4 weeks. Groups were also stratified by fast (mean 0.92 0.15 m/s) or slow (0.58 0.12 m/s) training speeds. The primary outcomes were self-selected overground walking speed and paretic step length ratio. Secondary outcomes included: fast overground walking speed, 6-minute walk test, and a battery of clinical measures. Results. No significant differences in primary outcomes were revealed between Lokomat and manual groups as a result of training. However, within the Lokomat group, self-selected walk speed, paretic step length ratio, and four of the six secondary measures improved (p = 0.040.05, effect sizes = 0.190.60). Within the manual group, only balance scores improved (p = 0.02, effect size = 0.57). Group differences between fast and slow training groups were not revealed (p 0.28). Conclusion. Results suggest that Lokomat training may have advantages over manual-BWSTT following a modest intervention dose in chronic hemiparetic persons and further, that our training speeds produce similar gait improvements. Suggestions for a larger randomized controlled trial with optimal study parameters are provided.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=67650765413&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=67650765413&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/1743-0003-6-18
DO - 10.1186/1743-0003-6-18
M3 - Article
C2 - 19523207
AN - SCOPUS:67650765413
VL - 6
JO - Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
JF - Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
SN - 1743-0003
IS - 1
M1 - 18
ER -