Beneficial Effects of Robot-Assisted Gait Training on Functional Recovery in Women After Stroke: A Cohort Study

Overview

Journal Medicina (Kaunas)

Publisher MDPI

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2021 Nov 27

PMID 34833418

Citations 3

Authors

Nicola Lamberti

Fabio Manfredini

Luc Oscar Lissom

Susanna Lavezzi

Nino Basaglia

Sofia Straudi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) could be a rehabilitation option for patients after experiencing a stroke. This study aims to determine the sex-related response to robot-assisted gait training in a cohort of subacute stroke patients considering mixed results previously reported. In this study, 236 participants (145 males, 91 females) were admitted to a rehabilitation facility after experiencing a stroke and performed RAGT within a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Functional Ambulatory Category (FAC) were assessed at admission and discharge to determine sex-related outcomes. At the baseline, no significant difference among sexes was observed. At the end of rehabilitation, both males and females exhibited significant improvements in FIM (71% of males and 80% of females reaching the MCID cut-off value) and FAC (∆score: men 1.9 ± 1.0; women 2.1 ± 1.1). A more remarkable improvement was observed in women of the whole population during the study, but statistical significance was not reached. When analysing the FAC variations with respect to the total number of RAGT sessions, a more significant improvement was observed in women than men ( = 0.025). In conclusion, among subacute stroke patients, benefits were observed following RAGT during a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program in both sexes. A greater significant recovery for women with an ischemic stroke or concerning the number of sessions attended was also highlighted. The use of gait robotics for female patients may favour a selective functional recovery after stroke.

Citing Articles

Tailoring robot-assisted arm training to individuals with stroke: bridging neuroscience principles and clinical practice.

Morone G, Tramontano M, Paolucci S, Cerasa A, Ciancarelli I, Martino Cinnera A Front Neurol. 2025; 16:1506889.

PMID: 39944536 PMC: 11813764. DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1506889.

Robotic versus Conventional Overground Gait Training in Subacute Stroke Survivors: A Multicenter Controlled Clinical Trial.

Pournajaf S, Calabro R, Naro A, Goffredo M, Aprile I, Tamburella F J Clin Med. 2023; 12(2).

PMID: 36675371 PMC: 9861649. DOI: 10.3390/jcm12020439.

Use of Robotics in Gait Rehabilitation Following Stroke: A Review.

Warutkar V, Dadgal R, Mangulkar U Cureus. 2022; 14(11):e31075.

PMID: 36475123 PMC: 9719588. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.31075.

Emerging Limb Rehabilitation Therapy After Post-stroke Motor Recovery.

Xiong F, Liao X, Xiao J, Bai X, Huang J, Zhang B Front Aging Neurosci. 2022; 14:863379.

PMID: 35401147 PMC: 8984121. DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.863379.

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