Progressive robot assisted gait therapy post-stroke with Kessler Institute
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Ruth Propper
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Date
25-4-2025 2:29 PM
Description
Post-stroke, patients often experience hemi-paralysis, aphasia, cognitive impairments, and motor control issues, which require extensive rehabilitation. While standard of care gait training is commonly used to improve motor control, this study examines the effects of robotic assisted gait training. Acting as a clinical trial for the Ekso ™ robotic exoskeleton, the study hypothesizes that robotic gait training may lead to faster and more effective recovery. To assess the robotic exoskeleton’s impact we measure the mobility, muscle function, and brain activity in each stroke patient. Participants are divided into two groups: one undergoing traditional gait rehabilitation and the other receiving robotic exoskeleton assisted therapy. The study employs magnetic resonance imaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation, electromyography, and electroencephalography to evaluate brain activity and muscle responses before and after intervention. 75 participants (50 stroke patients and 25 healthy controls) were evaluated with stroke patients recruited from Kessler’s inpatient hospital. Participants undergo 10 weeks of rehabilitation, then follow up assessments at the end of training and six months post stroke. Outcome measures include walking ability, balance, and neurophysiological changes using walking evaluation, a 10 meter walk test, the Berg Balance Assessment, and a balance platform assessment using Movendo ™ at the beginning and end of the study. While data collection is ongoing, findings from this study may contribute to the development of more effective rehabilitation strategies for post-stroke gait recovery, providing insights into how robotic assistance influences motor function and neuroplasticity.
Progressive robot assisted gait therapy post-stroke with Kessler Institute
Post-stroke, patients often experience hemi-paralysis, aphasia, cognitive impairments, and motor control issues, which require extensive rehabilitation. While standard of care gait training is commonly used to improve motor control, this study examines the effects of robotic assisted gait training. Acting as a clinical trial for the Ekso ™ robotic exoskeleton, the study hypothesizes that robotic gait training may lead to faster and more effective recovery. To assess the robotic exoskeleton’s impact we measure the mobility, muscle function, and brain activity in each stroke patient. Participants are divided into two groups: one undergoing traditional gait rehabilitation and the other receiving robotic exoskeleton assisted therapy. The study employs magnetic resonance imaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation, electromyography, and electroencephalography to evaluate brain activity and muscle responses before and after intervention. 75 participants (50 stroke patients and 25 healthy controls) were evaluated with stroke patients recruited from Kessler’s inpatient hospital. Participants undergo 10 weeks of rehabilitation, then follow up assessments at the end of training and six months post stroke. Outcome measures include walking ability, balance, and neurophysiological changes using walking evaluation, a 10 meter walk test, the Berg Balance Assessment, and a balance platform assessment using Movendo ™ at the beginning and end of the study. While data collection is ongoing, findings from this study may contribute to the development of more effective rehabilitation strategies for post-stroke gait recovery, providing insights into how robotic assistance influences motor function and neuroplasticity.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.