Reshaping of Gait Coordination by Robotic Intervention in Myelopathy Patients After Surgery

Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2018 · DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00099 · Published: March 2, 2018

Assistive Technology Neurology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the impact of Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) robotic therapy on patients with myelopathy due to Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL) after decompression surgery. The study found that HAL therapy improved walking performance in both acute and chronic patients, and improved gait coordination in acute patients. Kinematic analysis showed that HAL therapy improved gait coordination of acute patients by supporting the relearning process and reshaping their gait pattern.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

12 OPLL patients, 8 healthy volunteers

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
HAL therapy improved walking performance (speed and stride length) in both acute and chronic OPLL patients after surgery.
2
In acute patients, HAL therapy led to significant improvements in gait coordination, as evidenced by kinematic analysis of thigh, shank, and foot elevation angles.
3
The study suggests that HAL therapy supports the relearning process and facilitates the reshaping of gait patterns in acute patients.

Research Summary

This study investigates the effects of HAL therapy on gait coordination in OPLL patients after decompression surgery, dividing patients into acute and chronic groups based on the time elapsed post-surgery. The results showed improved walking performance in both groups, with acute patients also demonstrating improvements in gait coordination as revealed by kinematic analysis. The findings suggest that HAL therapy can be a beneficial intervention for reshaping gait patterns, particularly in acute OPLL patients, by supporting motor relearning.

Practical Implications

Clinical Rehabilitation

HAL therapy can be considered as a potential rehabilitation approach for OPLL patients after decompression surgery, especially in the acute phase, to improve both walking performance and gait coordination.

Motor Relearning

The study provides evidence that robotic intervention can support motor relearning processes, leading to the reshaping of gait patterns in patients with neurological impairments.

Personalized Therapy

The weights multiplied on the activation of each of the antagonistic pair of the muscles, and the overall gain, were adjusted manually for each patient’s comfort through the HAL therapy sessions, suggesting the importance of personalized therapy.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings.
2
Lack of a control group (OPLL patients without HAL therapy) makes it difficult to isolate the effect of HAL therapy from natural recovery.
3
Study duration not specified

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