title: Effects of robot-assisted gait training on spatiotemporal gait parameters and balance in patients with chronic stroke: A randomized controlled pilot trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Body weight-supported treadmill training assisted by a robotic gait orthosis is a helpful tool for restoring a symmetrical gait pattern in people with gait discrepancies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study's aim was to compare the effects of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) versus treadmill gait training (TGT) on spatiotemporal gait parameters, balance, and activities-specific balance confidence with stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen participants with stroke were randomly assigned to RAGT or TGT. Each group underwent twenty sessions (1 h/d, 5 d/wk for 4 weeks). Patients were assessed with gait parameters (gait speed, cadence, step length, and double limb support period) using the GAITRite, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score, and the activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) score before and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gait speed (P = 0.003), cadence (P = 0.002), step length (P = 0.004), the BBS score (P = 0.048), and the ABC score (P = 0.017) were significantly higher in the RAGT group than in the TGT group, while the double limb support period was significantly lower in the RAGT group (P = 0.043).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RAGT using Lokomat may be more effective than TGT in improving waking ability, balance, and balance confidence in patients with chronic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School of Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dae-Hyouk
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School of Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.|Department of Physical Therapy, Natural Science College, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Won-Seob
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012371:Robotics; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000072797:Walking Speed / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Rehabilitation; robot-assisted gait training; stroke