Use of Robotics in Gait Rehabilitation Following Stroke: A Review

Abstract

A stroke is an acute disruption of focal or global brain activity that last for a day or leads to death. Most stroke patients have an asymmetric gait, lower-extremity stiffness of the affected (hemiplegia) side, and impaired single stance and weight transfer capacity, restricting their locomotor function. Although between 65% and 85% of individuals can walk alone within six months after a stroke with appropriate surgical/pharmaceutical procedures and rehabilitative therapy, poor walking and cardiac efficiency continue to impede everyday walking for hemiplegia patients. Various methods are used to improve gait in stroke patients. Robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) is given via a robot system device. Ground exoskeletons, end-effector devices, wearable exoskeletons are three types of rehabilitation robots that have been developed. The HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) exoskeleton and RoboGait is also modified gait device to enhance gait. Robotic Neurorehabilitation can be a useful technique for reducing gait impairments and, as a result, increasing the standard of living of post-stroke individuals.

Keywords: exoskeleton; gait; hemiplegia; robotics; stroke.