Effect of robotic-assisted gait training on gait and motor function in spinal cord injury: a protocol of a systematic review with meta-analysis

BMJ Open, 2023 · DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070675 · Published: August 16, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Assistive Technology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious disabling disease that often causes paraplegia or quadriplegia and affects patient’s sensory, motor and autonomic nervous functions. Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) can improve the walking ability, lower limb strength and independence of patients with incomplete SCI. This meta-analysis aims to systematically evaluate the efficacy of RAGT in alleviating motor dysfunction and restoring speech ability in patients with SCI based on randomised clinical trials (RCTs).

Study Duration

1 March 2023 to 1 June 2023

Participants

Participants diagnosed with SCI

Evidence Level

Systematic review with meta-analysis

Key Findings

1
Summarising studies based on RAGT-related factors is critical for the accurate estimation of the effects of RAGT on SCI.
2
The results of this meta-analysis could help patients and therapists select the appropriate treatment method for SCI and improve new options based on the comparative evidence for effectiveness and safety.
3
This study was the first meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of robotic-assisted gait training in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI).

Research Summary

This work aims to search for strong evidence showing that using RAGT is effective in treating SCI and analyse the deficiencies of current studies. This study was the first meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of robotic-assisted gait training in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). The results of this study provided evidence for the treatment of patients with SCI and helped therapists and patients to choose appropriate treatment methods.

Practical Implications

Treatment Options

The results of this meta-analysis could help patients and therapists select the appropriate treatment method for SCI.

Evidence for Guidelines

The results of this study will provide evidence for guideline recommendations.

Improved Walking Ability

RAGT can improve the walking ability of patients with incomplete SCI and can be used by patients with stable vital signs.

Study Limitations

1
Articles published in both Chinese and English were included. Articles in other languages were not included, and their exclusion may affect our research.
2
When incorporating outcome indicators, all data were sourced from scale evaluation and gait analysis instruments. The lack of research results on neural mechanisms may have had a certain effect on this study.
3
The language categories of the research search were only included in English and Chinese, and the final search results would have some bias.

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