Walking Therapy In Hemiparetic Stroke Patients Using Robotic-Assisted Treadmill Training
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The overall goal of this study is to determine whether robotic-assisted gait training is better than standard physical therapy treatments for improving walking ability in hemiparetic stroke patients.
Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
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|
Phase 1 |
Detailed Description
Subjects enrolled into the study will be randomly assigned to one of 2 groups. The first group will receive one hour of conventional gait training, consisting of lower extremity strengthening exercises, stretching, and full weight bearing walking as tolerated, with appropriate physical assistance from a therapist. The second group will receive walking therapy using a Lokomat, which is a special treadmill that works in conjunction with 2 light-weight robotic arms that assists the subject to move their legs while they try to walk on the treadmill. Some of the subject's body-weight will be supported using a harness. During Lokomat training sessions, subjects will receive feedback of their walking performance on a computer monitor to help them walk. Both groups will be trained for 8-10 weeks, 3 times per week, for 1 hour training sessions (24 total sessions). Resources for transportation to the National Rehabilitation Hospital will be provided to all study participants.
Study Design
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion:
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Unilateral brain lesion.
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Within 6 months post-stroke.
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Receiving no other therapy targeting function of lower limb.
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Demonstration of hemiparesis (motor dysfunction in lower limb).
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Able to walk 5 meters without therapist assistance (walking device only).
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Able to follow commands and protocol.
Exclusion:
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Significant cognitive or communication impairments.
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Uncontrolled hypertension.
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Uncontrolled diabetes.
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Clinical depression.
Contacts and Locations
Locations
Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | National Rehabilitation Hospital | Washington | District of Columbia | United States | 20010 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- U.S. Department of Education
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Dr. Joseph M Hidler, Ph.D., The Catholic University of America
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- H133E020724
- IRB 2002-427