title: Does robot-assisted gait training improve ambulation in highly disabled multiple sclerosis people? A pilot randomized control trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Robotic training is commonly used to assist walking training in patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) with non-conclusive results.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effect of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) with that of conventional walking training (CWT) on gait competencies, global ability, fatigue and spasticity in a group of severely affected patients with MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pilot, single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in 43 severe (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 6-7.5) and non-autonomous ambulant in-patients with MS. Experimental group performed 12 sessions of RAGT, whereas control group performed the same amount of CWT. Primary outcome measures were gait ability assessed by 2 minutes walking test and Functional Ambulatory Category; secondary outcomes were global ability (modified Barthel Index), global mobility (Rivermead Mobility Index), severity of disease (EDSS) and subjectively perceived fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of subjects who achieved a clinical significant improvement was significantly higher in RAGT than in CWT ( p < 0.05 for both primary outcome measures). RAGT also led to an improvement in all the other clinical parameters (global ability: p < 0.001, global mobility: p < 0.001, EDSS: p = 0.014 and fatigue: p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RAGT improved the walking competencies in non-autonomous ambulant patients with MS, with benefits in terms of perceived fatigue.
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pompa
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory of Experimental Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morone
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory of Experimental Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iosa
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pace
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Catani
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Casillo
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clemenzi
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Elio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Troisi
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tonini
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory of Experimental Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paolucci
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Grasso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; fatigue; robotic training; spasticity