Auditory P300 as an Indicator in Effectiveness of Robot-Assisted Lower Limb Rehabilitation Training among Hemiplegic Patients after Ischemic Stroke

Background: Robot-assisted lower limb rehabilitation training in early stage could improve the limb function among hemiplegic patients caused by ischemic stroke. P300 potential changes have importantly clinical value for evaluating the improvement in nerve function during the training as one of the objective targets. Methods: Sixty hemiplegic patients after stroke were randomly divided into a Lokomat group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). The Lokomat group received Lokomat rehabilitation while the control group only received traditional rehabilitation. The gait parameters and the balance ability were evaluated by the K421GAITRite analysis system and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS); ERP components including N100, N200, P200 and P300 potential were evaluated by a muscle electric inducing potentiometer. Results: There were no significant differences in BBS and gait parameters (P > 0.05), as well as in amplitude and incubation periods (IP) (P > 0.05) between the two groups before training. After 8 weeks treatment, the total (48.88 ± 3.68), static (26.40 ± 3.14) and dynamic (22.64 ± 3.68) balance scores improved significantly; the pace (59.22 ± 4.67), stride length (19.04 ± 2.24), feet wide (98.02 ± 7.97) and walking velocity (84.86 ± 9.88) and IP of N200 and P300 shortened obviously and P300 amplitude increased significantly in robot group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This demonstrated that robot-assisted lower limb rehabilitation training in early stage could improve the limb function among hemiplegic patients caused by ischemic stroke. P300 may be considered as an indicator of neurological Corresponding author.