The effects of robot assisted gait training on temporal-spatial characteristics of people with spinal cord injuries: a systematic review

Hayes, Stephen Clive; James Wilcox, Christopher Richard; Forbes White, Hollie Samantha; Vanicek, Natalie

Abstract

Context: Robotic assisted gait training (RAGT) technology can be used as a rehabilitation tool or as an assistive device for spinal cord injured (SCI) individuals. Its impact on upright stepping characteristics of SCI individuals using treadmill or overground robotic exoskeleton systems has yet to be established.

Objective: To systematically review the literature and identify if overground or treadmill based RAGT use in SCI individuals elicited differences in temporal-spatial characteristics and functional outcome measures.

Methods:A systematic search of the literature investigating overground and treadmill RAGT in SCIs was undertaken excluding case-studies and case-series. Studies were included if the primary outcomes were temporal-spatial gait parameters. Study inclusion and methodological quality were assessed and determined independently by two reviewers. Methodological quality was assessed using a validated scoring system for randomized and non-randomized trials.

Results: Twelve studies met all inclusion criteria. Participant numbers ranged from 5-130 with injury levels from C2 to T12, American Spinal Injuries Association A-D. Three studies used overground RAGT systems and the remaining nine focused on treadmill based RAGT systems. Primary outcome measures were walking speed and walking distance. The use of treadmill or overground based RAGT did not result in an increase in walking speed beyond that of conventional gait training and no studies reviewed enabled a large enough improvement to facilitate community ambulation.

Conclusion: The use of RAGT in SCI individuals has the potential to benefit upright locomotion of SCI individuals. Its use should not replace other therapies but be incorporated into a multi-modality rehabilitation approach.

Citation

Hayes, S. C., James Wilcox, C. R., Forbes White, H. S., & Vanicek, N. (2018). The effects of robot assisted gait training on temporal-spatial characteristics of people with spinal cord injuries: a systematic review. The journal of spinal cord medicine : JSCM, 41(5), 529-543. https://doi.org/10.1080/10790268.2018.1426236

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Jan 11, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Feb 5, 2018
• Publication Date: Sep 3, 2018
• Deposit Date: Feb 22, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 6, 2019
• Journal: The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine
• Print ISSN: 1079-0268
• Publisher: Maney Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 529-543
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10790268.2018.1426236
• Keywords: Spinal cord injury; Robot assisted gait training; Overground gait; Treadmill gait; Temporal-spatial characteristics
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/620127
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=yscm20
• Contract Date: Feb 23, 2018