Background : Lower-limb exoskeleton robots are being widely used in gait rehabilitation training for stroke patients. However, most of the current rehabilitation robots are guided by predestined gait trajectories, which are often different from the actual gait trajectories of specific patients. One solution is to train patients using individualized gait trajectories generated from the physical parameters of patients. Hence, we aimed to explore the effect of individual gaits on energy consumption situation during gait rehabilitation training for hemiplegic patient with low-limb exoskeleton robot.
Methods : 9 unilateral-hemiplegic patients were recruited. On the first day of the experiment, the 9 patients were guided by a low-limb exoskeleton robot, walking on a flat ground for 15 minutes in general gait trajectory, which was gained by CGA (clinical gait analysis) method.On the other day, the same 9 patients wore the identical robot and walked on the same flat ground for 15 minutes in individualized gait trajectory. The main physiological parameters including heart rate (HR) and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) were acquired via cardiotachometer and oximeter before and after the walking training. The energy consumption situation was indicated by the variation of the value of HR and SpO2 after walking training compared to before.
Results : Between-group comparison shows that the individualized gait trajectory training results in lower increase in HR levels and decrease in SpO2 levels in experimenters compared to general gait trajectory training. Difference has statistical significance(p<0.05).
Conclusions : Using individualized gait guidance in rehabilitation walking training can significantly improve energy efficiency for hemiplegic patient with stroke.Trial registration: Registered on 29 July 2021 at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100049310). https://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=130960\&htm=4