Improved Walking Capabilities after Eight Weeks of Hal® Exoskeleton-Supported Treadmill Therapy in a Patient with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2I

Objective: HAL® robot suit is a new voluntary driven exoskeleton for the lower limbs. It has already been demonstrated to improve walking functions in spinal cord injury and stroke patients. So far, it is not known if HAL® training may be beneficial in patients with limb girdle muscular dystrophy, too. Design/methods: In this short report, HAL® exoskeleton assisted body-weight supported treadmill training has been applied in a patient with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I for eight weeks (3 times × 8 weeks = 24 sessions). For training success, standardized walking tests were assessed prior and after training session, and after 6 weeks serving as follow-up measurement (10-meter-walk test, 6-minute-walk test, timed-up-and-go test). Results: The patient improved in all walking functions. Follow-up measurements showed outlasting effects after 6 weeks without HAL® training. No adverse events occurred. Conclusions: HAL®-supported treadmill training canto be a promising new rehabilitation approach also for patients with muscular dystrophy. Systematic clinical trials with respect to genetic LGMD subtype should prove beneficial effects in a larger cohort.