Clinical and Quantitative Evaluation of Robotic-Assisted Treadmill Walking to Retrain Ambulation After Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Despite evidence of the effectiveness of body-weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) to enhance walking ability after spinal cord injury (SCI), its clinical practice is limited by the labor-intensive demands placed on therapists. Development of robotic devices that provide automated assistance during treadmill walking may improve delivery of BWSTT. Using clinical and quantitative measures, the effects of robotic assistance during treadmill ambulation using the Lokomat® (Hocoma Medical Engineering, Inc.) has been compared to therapist-assisted interventions. Our preliminary findings of the effects of robotic-assisted BWSTT after SCI are discussed and indicate the potential utility of such a device in the clinical setting.