title: Robot-assisted end-effector-based gait training in chronic stroke patients: A multicentric uncontrolled observational retrospective clinical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Until now studies report inconclusive results as regards the effectiveness of exclusive use of robot-assisted training and clinical indications in stroke patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate if the only robot-assisted end-effector-based gait training can be feasible in chronic stroke subjects in terms of gait recovery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five rehabilitation centers participated and one hundred chronic post-stroke patients were recruited. Patients underwent a robot-assisted end-effector-based gait training as only rehabilitation treatment.6 Minute Walk Test, 10 Meter Walk Test, Timed Up and Go test, Modified Ashworth Scale, Motricity Index, Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC) and Walking Handicap Scale were used as outcome clinical measure. Patients were divided into two groups: those assessed as FAC <3 (Group 1) and as FAC ≥ 3 (Group 2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant changes were observed in each clinical outcome measure. Significant changes were observed in Group 1 and in Group 2. Significant percentages of patients achieved Minimally Clinically Important Difference in 6 Minute Walk Test in Group 2 and Timed Up and Go test in Group 1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic stroke patients exposed to only robot-assisted end-effector-based gait training showed significant improvements in global motor performances, gait endurance, balance and coordination, lower limbs strength and even spasticity.
authors.affiliation: The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pontedera, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazzoleni
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda Sanitaria Locale 4 Chiavarese, Sestri Levante, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Focacci
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy.|San Raffaele University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franceschini
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Private Hospital Villa Melitta, Bolzano, Italy.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Waldner
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Riabilitazione S.Stefano S.r.l., Porto Potenza Picena, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spagnuolo
authors.affiliation: The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pontedera, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Battini
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, S. Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bonaiuti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D016138:Walking
keywords: Rehabilitation; gait; robotics; stroke