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Gait quality after robot therapy compared with physiotherapy in the patient with incomplete spinal cord injured: A systematic review

eNeurologicalSci, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100467 · Published: May 25, 2023

Spinal Cord InjuryNeurologyRehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury interrupts nerve signals, limiting movement. Rehabilitation includes regular physiotherapy or robot-assisted training. This review compares robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) combined with physiotherapy to physiotherapy alone for improving walking ability. The review analyzed studies of people with incomplete spinal cord injuries who received either RAGT and physiotherapy or physiotherapy alone to improve walking.

Study Duration
Not specified
Participants
258 participants with incomplete spinal cord injuries
Evidence Level
Systematic Review of RCTs

Key Findings

  • 1
    Robotic treatment stimulated the greatest improvements in the four studies; however, they were not always statistically significant.
  • 2
    A rehabilitation protocol combining RAGT with conventional physiotherapy is more effective than isolated OGT in improving ambulation in the subacute phase.
  • 3
    The Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury-II scale (WISCI-II) was a common outcome measure used in most studies.

Research Summary

This systematic review compares the effectiveness of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) with Lokomat® and OGT for individuals with spinal cord injury during the subacute phase. differences in sample size, aetiology of injuries, duration and intensity of treatment, and other interventions make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. the systematic review suggests that robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) can be an effective intervention for improving gait and mobility in individuals with spinal cord injury during the subacute phase.

Practical Implications

Improved Gait Function

Robot-assisted gait training, combined with conventional physiotherapy, can improve walking function in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries during the sub-acute phase.

Optimal Timing of Treatment

Further research is needed to determine the optimal time to start treatment and which types of injuries benefit the most from this therapy.

Psychological Benefits

Further investigation is needed to evaluate the psychological effects of standing and walking simulation during recovery and therapy.

Study Limitations

  • 1
    The review was conducted by a single reviewer without peer review, which may have introduced bias.
  • 2
    all studies included in the review had participants who had experienced spinal cord injuries within six months
  • 3
    studies conducted on the chronic phase of the disease, where the spinal cord injury had occurred more than two years earlier, did not show significant improvements when compared to OGT.

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