Background: Neurodegenerative diseases and disorders present with a wide range of clinical and neuropathological symptoms caused by progressive neuronal dysfunction and eventual neuronal death. As individuals with neurodegenerative diseases experience gradual sensory, motor, and cognitive debilitation, the maintenance and recovery of a functional gait holds physiological, psychological, and financial importance. Developments in robotically-aided therapies are becoming more commonly used as a therapeutic tool for the improvement of gait characteristics and overall motor function for individuals with various gait impairments. To date, studies examining the effects of robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) as treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, have only been performed in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).Purpose: The purpose of this review is to summarize and show trends to the efficacy of RAGT as a gait restorative and preservative modality for individuals with these neurodegenerative diseases including MS, PD, and PSP.Results: The overall trends reported by these reviewed studies show that RAGT may be an effective therapy for producing significant improvements in multiple gait characteristics including balance, walking speed, endurance, leg strength, gait safety, and motor function for individuals with neurodegenerative disease.Conclusion: The studies in this review suggest that RAGT therapies may be an effective substitute for, or addition to, present conventional therapies for individuals with neurodegenerative disease, however the long-term effects of this therapy are still not known for these individuals.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    The Gait Restorative Effects of Robotic-Assisted Gait Training for Individuals with Neurodegenerative Disease: A Review


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2016-05-18


    Remarks:

    Journal of Rehabilitation Robotics; Vol 4 (2016); 2-13


    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    DDC:    629





    Gait training using a robotic hip exoskeleton improves metabolic gait efficiency in the elderly

    Martini E. / Crea S. / Parri A. et al. | BASE | 2019

    Free access

    Towards more effective robotic gait training for stroke rehabilitation: a review

    Pennycott, Andrew / Wyss, Dario / Vallery, Heike et al. | BASE | 2012

    Free access

    Effects of robot-assisted gait training on postural instability in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review

    Picelli, Alessandro / Capecci, Marianna / Filippetti, Mirko et al. | BASE | 2021

    Free access