title: Robot-assisted gait training improves brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and peak aerobic capacity in subacute stroke patients with totally dependent ambulation: Randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) evaluates arterial stiffness and also predicts early outcome in stroke patients. The objectives of this study were to investigate arterial stiffness of subacute nonfunctional ambulatory stroke patients and to compare the effects of robot-assisted gait therapy (RAGT) combined with rehabilitation therapy (RT) on arterial stiffness and functional recovery with those of RT alone.
  
  
  METHODS
  The RAGT group (N = 30) received 30 minutes of robot-assisted gait therapy and 30 minutes of conventional RT, and the control group (N = 26) received 60 minutes of RT, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. baPWV was measured and calculated using an automated device. The patients also performed a symptom-limited graded exercise stress test using a bicycle ergometer, and parameters of cardiopulmonary fitness were recorded. Clinical outcome measures were categorized into 4 categories: activities of daily living, balance, ambulatory function, and paretic leg motor function and were evaluated before and after the 4-week intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups exhibited significant functional recovery in all clinical outcome measures after the 4-week intervention. However, peak aerobic capacity, peak heart rate, exercise tolerance test duration, and baPWV improved only in the RAGT group, and the improvements in baPWV and peak aerobic capacity were more noticeable in the RAGT group than in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Robot-assisted gait therapy combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy represents an effective method for reversing arterial stiffness and improving peak aerobic capacity in subacute stroke patients with totally dependent ambulation. However, further large-scale studies with longer term follow-up periods are warranted to measure the effects of RAGT on secondary prevention after stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju National University College of Medicine, Jeju Department of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine, Inha University, School of Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam.
authors.forename: Eun Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Sang Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Im
authors.forename: Bo Ryun
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Min Ji
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Myeong Ok
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D051341:Dependent Ambulation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012371:Robotics; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*