OBJECTIVES Although electromechanical-assisted gait training after stroke seems to be effective, in the absence of a direct comparison between electromechanical devices it is not clear which device may be the most effective for recovery of walking. The aim of this study was therefore to compare the effects of different devices used in gait training after stroke. DATA SOURCES We searched the C...

BACKGROUND Physical activity and exercise interventions are useful in facilitating the functional recovery of those with chronic stroke and, routinely, are gait-specific. While treadmill training has proven useful in gait performance recovery post-stroke, its efficacy on balance dysfunction has not been  systematically reviewed. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this systematic review was to determin...

BACKGROUND AND AIM Until recently, robotic devices for stroke rehabilitation had multi-joint designs that were often tethered to a treadmill for gait training. A new single-joint wearable robotic knee orthosis (RKO) has been designed that provides patient-initiated powered-assistance in untethered functional mobility. This case-series documents application of the wearable RKO in untethered func...

Many patients are in pain when they receive gait training during rehabilitation. Based on animal studies, it has been proposed that central sensitization associated to nociception (maladaptive plasticity) and plasticity related to the sensorimotor learning (adaptive plasticity) share similar neural mechanisms and compete with each other. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether experimenta...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to describe physical therapy provided to patients with stroke in inpatient rehabilitation facilities. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Data were collected from 972 patients with stroke receiving physical therapy services at 6 rehabilitation facilities in the United States. Descriptive statistics were derived to describe physical therapy sessions, inclu...

In assistive devices for neuro-rehabilitation, natural human motions are partly restricted by the device. This may affect the normality of walking during training. This research determines effects on gait of fixating the pelvis translations in the horizontal plane during treadmill walking. Direct effects on the motion of the pelvis and external forces acting on the pelvis were measured. Several...

OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of aquatic treadmill training (ATT) as a new modality for stroke rehabilitation, by assessing changes in gait symmetry, balance function, and subjective balance confidence for the paretic and non-paretic leg in stroke patients. METHODS Twenty-one subacute stroke patients participated in 15 intervention sessions of aquatic treadmill training. The Comfortable...