Sensors, 2025 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s25030984 · Published: February 6, 2025
This study explores the use of a gait rehabilitation robot combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) to help stabilize blood pressure in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Patients with SCI often experience orthostatic hypotension, which is a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing that can cause dizziness and fainting. The study compared robotic training (RT) using the gait rehabilitation robot with FES to traditional tilt table training (TT). The researchers measured blood flow in the earlobe and blood pressure to see how each method affected the patients' hemodynamics. The results showed that RT was better at maintaining blood flow and pulse rate compared to TT. While blood pressure was slightly higher during RT, the difference wasn't statistically significant. Importantly, patients reported fewer issues with dizziness during RT.
Gait rehabilitation robots combined with FES may offer a way to stabilize blood pressure and reduce the risk of orthostatic hypotension in SCI patients during rehabilitation.
By reducing symptoms like dizziness, this approach could allow patients to participate more fully in rehabilitation programs, potentially leading to better functional outcomes.
The study suggests that robotic training with FES may be better tolerated than traditional tilt table training, as patients experienced fewer adverse events like dizziness.