title: Feasibility of rehabilitation training with a newly developed wearable robot for patients with limited mobility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the feasibility of rehabilitation training with a new wearable robot.
  
  
  METHODS
  Before-after clinical intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital and private rehabilitation facilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of patients (N=38) with limited mobility. The underlying diseases were stroke (n=12), spinal cord injuries (n=8), musculoskeletal diseases (n=4), and other diseases (n=14).
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients received 90-minute training with a wearable robot twice per week for 8 weeks (16 sessions).
  
  
  METHODS
  Functional ambulation was assessed with the 10-m walk test (10MWT) and the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test, and balance ability was assessed with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Both assessments were performed at baseline and after rehabilitation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-two patients completed 16 sessions of training with the wearable robot. The results of the 10MWT included significant improvements in gait speed, number of steps, and cadence. Although improvements were observed, as measured with the TUG test and BBS, the results were not statistically significant. No serious adverse events were observed during the training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eight weeks of rehabilitative training with the wearable robot (16 sessions of 90min) could be performed safely and effectively, even many years after the subjects received their diagnosis.
authors: Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors: Shigeki
authors: S
authors: Kubota
authors: Yoshio
authors: Y
authors: Nakata
authors: Kiyoshi
authors: K
authors: Eguchi
authors: Hiroaki
authors: H
authors: Kawamoto
authors: Kiyotaka
authors: K
authors: Kamibayashi
authors: Masataka
authors: M
authors: Sakane
authors: Yoshiyuki
authors: Y
authors: Sankai
authors: Naoyuki
authors: N
authors: Ochiai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*