scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Walking Program Involving the Hybrid Assistive Limb Robotic Exoskeleton Suit for Improving Walking Ability in Stroke Patients: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideo Tsurushima ◽  
Masafumi Mizukami ◽  
Kenichi Yoshikawa ◽  
Tomoyuki Ueno ◽  
Yasushi Hada ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Gait disturbance often occurs in stroke survivors. Recovery of walking function is challenging, as some gait disturbance due to hemiparesis often remains even after rehabilitation therapy, presenting a major obstacle towards regaining activities-of-daily-living performance and achieving social reintegration. OBJECTIVE This study aims to clarify the effectiveness of a walking program involving the wearable Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL-TS01) robotic exoskeleton for improving walking ability in stroke patients with hemiparesis and stagnant recovery despite ongoing rehabilitation. METHODS This is a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, controlled study (HAL group, n=27; control group, n=27). The study period includes preintervention observation (until stagnant recovery), intervention (HAL-based walking therapy or conventional rehabilitation; 5 weeks), and postintervention observation (2 weeks). Following provision of informed consent and primary registration, the patients undergo conventional rehabilitation for preintervention observation, during which the recovery of walking ability is monitored to identify patients with stagnant recovery (based on weekly assessments using the 10-meter maximum walking speed [MWS] test). Patients with an MWS of 30-60 m/minute and insufficient weekly improvement in MWS undergo secondary registration and are randomly assigned to undergo HAL-based walking therapy (HAL group) or conventional rehabilitation (control group). The primary outcome is the change in MWS from baseline to the end of the 5-week intervention. RESULTS This study began in November 2016 and is being conducted at 15 participating facilities in Japan. CONCLUSIONS Assessments of walking ability vary greatly and it is difficult to define the threshold for significant differences. To reduce such variability, our study involves conducting conventional rehabilitation to the point of saturation before starting the intervention. Stagnation in the recovery of walking ability despite conventional rehabilitation highlights the limits of current medical care. The present study may bring evidence that HAL-based therapy can overcome such limitations and induce added recovery of walking ability, which would promote the use of HAL technology in the clinical setting. CLINICALTRIAL UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000024805; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000028545

10.2196/14001 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e14001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideo Tsurushima ◽  
Masafumi Mizukami ◽  
Kenichi Yoshikawa ◽  
Tomoyuki Ueno ◽  
Yasushi Hada ◽  
...  

Background Gait disturbance often occurs in stroke survivors. Recovery of walking function is challenging, as some gait disturbance due to hemiparesis often remains even after rehabilitation therapy, presenting a major obstacle towards regaining activities-of-daily-living performance and achieving social reintegration. Objective This study aims to clarify the effectiveness of a walking program involving the wearable Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL-TS01) robotic exoskeleton for improving walking ability in stroke patients with hemiparesis and stagnant recovery despite ongoing rehabilitation. Methods This is a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, controlled study (HAL group, n=27; control group, n=27). The study period includes preintervention observation (until stagnant recovery), intervention (HAL-based walking therapy or conventional rehabilitation; 5 weeks), and postintervention observation (2 weeks). Following provision of informed consent and primary registration, the patients undergo conventional rehabilitation for preintervention observation, during which the recovery of walking ability is monitored to identify patients with stagnant recovery (based on weekly assessments using the 10-meter maximum walking speed [MWS] test). Patients with an MWS of 30-60 m/minute and insufficient weekly improvement in MWS undergo secondary registration and are randomly assigned to undergo HAL-based walking therapy (HAL group) or conventional rehabilitation (control group). The primary outcome is the change in MWS from baseline to the end of the 5-week intervention. Results This study began in November 2016 and is being conducted at 15 participating facilities in Japan. Conclusions Assessments of walking ability vary greatly and it is difficult to define the threshold for significant differences. To reduce such variability, our study involves conducting conventional rehabilitation to the point of saturation before starting the intervention. Stagnation in the recovery of walking ability despite conventional rehabilitation highlights the limits of current medical care. The present study may bring evidence that HAL-based therapy can overcome such limitations and induce added recovery of walking ability, which would promote the use of HAL technology in the clinical setting. Trial Registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000024805; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000028545


Author(s):  
Elisabetta Peri ◽  
Emilia Ambrosini ◽  
Alessandra Pedrocchi ◽  
Giancarlo Ferrigno ◽  
Claudia Nava ◽  
...  

Recent studies advocated the use of active cycling coupled with functional electrical stimulation to induce neuroplasticity and enhance functional improvements in stroke adult patients. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether the benefits induced by such a treatment are superior to standard physiotherapy. A single-blinded randomized controlled trial has been performed on post-acute elderly stroke patients. Patients underwent FES-augmented cycling training combined with voluntary pedaling or standard physiotherapy. The intervention consisted of fifteen 30-minutes sessions carried out within 3 weeks. Patients were evaluated before and after training, through functional scales, gait analysis and a voluntary pedaling test. Results were compared with an age-matched healthy group. Sixteen patients completed the training. After treatment, a general improvement of all clinical scales was obtained for both groups. Only the mechanical efficiency highlighted a group effect in favor of the experimental group. Although a group effect was not found for any other cycling or gait parameters, the experimental group showed a higher percentage of change with respect to the control group (e.g. the gait velocity was improved of 35.4% and 25.4% respectively, and its variation over time was higher than minimal clinical difference for the experimental group only). This trend suggests that differences in terms of motor recovery between the two groups may be achieved increasing the training dose. In conclusion, this study, although preliminary, showed that FES-augmented active cycling training seems to be effective in improving cycling and walking ability in post-acute elderly stroke patients. A higher sample size is required to confirm results.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Teut ◽  
E. J. Roesner ◽  
M. Ortiz ◽  
F. Reese ◽  
S. Binting ◽  
...  

Background. The aim of this randomized, controlled study was to investigate the effectiveness of a mindful walking program in patients with high levels of perceived psychological distress.Methods. Participants aged between 18 and 65 years with moderate to high levels of perceived psychological distress were randomized to 8 sessions of mindful walking in 4 weeks (each 40 minutes walking, 10 minutes mindful walking, 10 minutes discussion) or to no study intervention (waiting group). Primary outcome parameter was the difference to baseline on Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS) after 4 weeks between intervention and control.Results. Seventy-four participants were randomized in the study; 36 (32 female, 52.3 ± 8.6 years) were allocated to the intervention and 38 (35 female, 49.5 ± 8.8 years) to the control group. Adjusted CPSS differences after 4 weeks were −8.8 [95% CI: −10.8; −6.8] (mean 24.2 [22.2; 26.2]) in the intervention group and −1.0 [−2.9; 0.9] (mean 32.0 [30.1; 33.9]) in the control group, resulting in a highly significant group difference ().Conclusion. Patients participating in a mindful walking program showed reduced psychological stress symptoms and improved quality of life compared to no study intervention. Further studies should include an active treatment group and a long-term follow-up.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shamekh Mohamed El-Shamy ◽  
Ehab Mohamed Abd El Kafy

Abstract Background TheraTogs promotes proprioceptive sense of a child with cerebral palsy and improves abnormal muscle tone, posture alignment, balance, and gait. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of TheraTogs orthotic undergarment on gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Thirty children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy were selected for this randomized controlled study. They were randomly assigned to (1) an experimental group that received TheraTogs orthotic undergarment (12 h/day, 3 days/week) plus traditional physical therapy for 3 successive months and (2) a control group that received only traditional physical therapy program for the same time period. Gait parameters were measured at baseline and after 3 months of intervention using Pro-Reflex motion analysis. Results Children in both groups showed significant improvements in the gait parameters (P < 0.05), with significantly greater improvements in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusions The use of TheraTogs may have a positive effect to improve gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Trial registration This trial was registered in the ClinicalTrial.gov PRS (NCT03037697).


Spinal Cord ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helge Kasch ◽  
Uffe Schou Løve ◽  
Anette Bach Jønsson ◽  
Kaare Eg Severinsen ◽  
Marc Possover ◽  
...  

Abstract Study design 1-year prospective RCT. Objective Examine the effect of implantable pulse generator and low-frequency stimulation of the pelvic nerves using laparoscopic implantation of neuroprosthesis (LION) compared with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in SCI. Methods Inclusion criteria: traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), age 18–55 years, neurological level-of-injury Th4–L1, time-since-injury >1 year, and AIS-grades A–B. Participants were randomized to (A) LION procedure or (B) control group receiving NMES. Primary outcome measure: Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI-II), which is a SCI specific outcome measure assessing ability to ambulate. Secondary outcome measures: Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM III), Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC), Penn Spasm Frequency Scale (PSFS), severity of spasticity measured by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11); International Spinal Cord Injury data sets-Quality of Life Basic Data Set (QoLBDS), and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Results Seventeen SCI individuals, AIS grade A, neurological level ranging from Th4–L1, were randomized to the study. One individual was excluded prior to intervention. Eight participants (7 males) with a mean age (SD) of 35.5 (12.4) years were allocated to the LION procedure, 8 participants (7 males) with age of 38.8 (15.1) years were allocated to NMES. Significantly, 5 LION group participants gained 1 point on the WISCI II scale, (p < 0.013; Fisher´s exact test). WISCI II scale score did not change in controls. No significant changes were observed in the secondary outcome measures. Conclusion The LION procedure is a promising new treatment for individuals with SCI with significant one-year improvement in walking ability.


ISRN Nursing ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Ratanasiripong ◽  
Nop Ratanasiripong ◽  
Duangrat Kathalae

Purpose. It has been well documented that nursing students across the world experience stress and anxiety throughout their education and training. The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to investigate the impact of biofeedback intervention program on nursing students' levels of stress and anxiety during their first clinical training. Methods. Participants consisted of 60 second-year baccalaureate nursing students. The 30 participants in the biofeedback group received training on how to use the biofeedback device to assist in stress and anxiety management for 5 weeks while the 30 in the control group did not receive any training. Findings. Results indicated that the biofeedback group was able to maintain the stress level while the control group had a significant increase in the stress level over the 5-week period of clinical training. Additionally, the biofeedback group had a significant reduction in anxiety, while the control group had a moderate increase in anxiety. Conclusions. The better the nursing students can manage their stress and anxiety, the more successful they can be in their clinical training. Ultimately, the more psychologically healthy the nursing students are, the more likely they will flourish and graduate to become productive and contributing members of the nursing profession.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 818
Author(s):  
Yann Kerautret ◽  
Aymeric Guillot ◽  
Sébastien Daligault ◽  
Franck Di Rienzo

The present double-blinded, randomized controlled study sought to compare the effects of a full-body manual massage (MM) and a foam rolling (FR) intervention on subjective and objective indexes of performance and well-being. A total of 65 healthy individuals were randomly allocated to an FR, MM, or a control group who received a cognitively oriented relaxation routine. Self-report ratings of perceived anxiety, muscle relaxation, and muscle pain were used to index changes in affect and physical sensations. The sit-and-reach and toe-touch tests, as well as a mental calculation task, were used to index motor and cognitive performances, respectively. We also conducted resting-state electroencephalography and continuous skin conductance recordings before and after the experimental intervention. Both FR and MM groups exhibited neural synchronization of alpha and beta oscillations during the posttest. Skin conductance increased from the pretest to the posttest in the relaxation group, but decreased in the FR group. All interventions improved range of motion, although only the MM group outperformed the relaxation group for the toe-touch performance. MM was associated with reduced muscle pain and increased muscle relaxation. Reduced perceived anxiety after the intervention was observed in the FR group only. Overall, MM and FR both improved objective and subjective indexes of performance and well-being. Differences between the two massage interventions are discussed in relation to the effects of pressure stimulation on autonomic regulations and the proactive vs. retroactive nature of FR, compared to MM.


1992 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. LAMBERT ◽  
R. J. MORTON ◽  
J. P. SLOAN

A controlled double-blind prospective study of injection of methylprednisolone acetate plus local anaesthetic against a control injection of a local anaesthetic in the treatment of trigger finger and thumb has shown a 60% success rate for the steroid injection against 16% for the control group (p < 0.05). This is the first controlled trial of local steroid therapy in this condition.


1993 ◽  
Vol 163 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Burns ◽  
Alan Beadsmoore ◽  
Ashok V. Bhat ◽  
Andrew Oliver ◽  
Carola Mathers

While research has shown community-based psychiatric care to be as good as, or better than, hospital-based care, generalisation to clinical practice has been difficult. This prospective, randomised controlled study examined a community-based approach feasible within NHS conditions. Ninety-four patients were randomly allocated to experimental and 78 to control treatments and followed for one year. The groups were well matched apart from an excess of psychotic control patients. No differences in clinical or social functioning outcome were found. Both groups improved substantially on clinical measures in the first six weeks, with some slow consolidation thereafter. There were three suicides in the control group and one in the experimental group. Access to care was better in the experimental group (93% attended assessment) than in the control group (75% attended assessment).


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 10650
Author(s):  
Isabel Gómez-Calcerrada ◽  
Ana Myriam Lavín-Pérez ◽  
Santos Villafaina ◽  
Juan Carlos Rueda-Rubio ◽  
Beatriz Rivera-Martín ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Despite the scientific evidence of the positive effects of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it is not still considered an evidence-based practice for this population. The proposed study will aim to evaluate the effects of a dog-assisted therapy program on gait, posture, and communication skills. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 adults with ASD will participate in this non-randomized controlled trial. The experimental group will involve 12 participants who will receive AAT for 10 weeks, at two sessions per week. The focus of these sessions will be conducting different activities and physical exercises, facilitated by dogs. The control group will receive treatment as usual. The outcome measures will be the ability to walk and climbing stairs, balance, risk of falls and communication skills. Conclusions: The role of dogs as facilitators of the movement may lead to relevant benefits in the gait, posture and communication skills of adults with ASD, improving their ability to perform activities of daily living.


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