Abstract:

A 60-year-old male patient, who had suffered a hemiplegic stroke, was admitted to the hospital's rehabilitation unit with the primary goal of regaining walking ability. Upon admission, the patient exhibited significant difficulty walking due to the residual effects of the stroke, which had resulted in pronounced motor weakness and balance issues. To comprehensively assess the patient's baseline function, a range of standardized measures were employed, including the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), which evaluated balance and risk of falls, the Fugl-Meyer Scale (FMS), which assessed motor function in the lower extremities, and a spatial and temporal gait assessment, which evaluated gait performance. Following baseline assessments, the patient underwent a comprehensive 16-week rehabilitation program, which consisted of robotic gait training and exercise therapy, administered three days per week. Robotic gait training was utilized to provide high-repetition, task-oriented practice, facilitating motor learning and recovery. The exercise therapy program was designed to complement robotic gait training, targeting muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance. Upon completion of the 16-week program, post-test assessments were conducted, revealing significant improvements in balance, motor function, and gait performance, as evidenced by enhanced scores on the BBS, FMS, and spatial and temporal gait assessment. These findings suggest that robotic gait training, combined with exercise therapy, may offer substantial benefits in reducing weakness and improving gait and balance in patients with hemiplegic stroke, highlighting the potential of this innovative locomotor training approach in stroke rehabilitation.

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