title: Immediate effect of Walkbot robotic gait training on neuromechanical knee stiffness in spastic hemiplegia: a case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of Walkbot gait training on knee joint stiffness in an individual with spastic hemiplegia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A woman with hemiparetic stroke underwent a 30-minute Walkbot robotic-assisted gait training session. Knee flexion stiffness associated with hamstring spasticity and knee extension torques during the terminal swing phase was determined before and after the intervention using the Walkbot-STIFF measurement system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive case analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Knee joint extension kinematic at the terminal swing phase increased from 2.44° to -0.28°. Knee joint torque increased from 0.26 Nm to 0.32 Nm. The knee flexion stiffness decreased from 0.0083 Nm/degree to 0.0022 Nm/degree following the training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Walkbot robotic-assisted locomotor training was effective for reducing knee joint stiffness and improving extensor torque during functional gait. Moreover, the Walkbot-STIFF system was useful for assessing and monitoring spasticity during locomotor training.
authors.affiliation: Movement Healing Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Do Hyeon
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yong-Il
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Kyung-Lim
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Joa
authors.forename: Yoon Kyum
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Jae Jin
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sung Joshua Hyun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: You
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012371:Robotics