Decrease of spasticity after hybrid assistive limb® training for a patient with C4 quadriplegia due to chronic SCI

This case report examines the use of the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) robotic suit for locomotor training in a patient with complete C4 quadriplegia due to chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). HAL training was administered in 10 sessions, twice per week, involving treadmill walking with HAL, supported by physicians and a therapist for balance and weight-bearing. The study evaluated walking time and distance, muscle spasticity before and after HAL training using the modified Ashworth scale (mAs), and adverse events.

• 1
  Walking distance and time increased significantly during the HAL training sessions, from 25.2 meters/7.6 minutes to 148.3 meters/15 minutes.
• 2
  The modified Ashworth scale (mAs) score, measuring muscle spasticity, decreased after HAL training.
• 3
  No serious adverse events requiring discontinuation of rehabilitation were observed during the HAL training.