Affiliations: [a] Movement Healing Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea | [b] Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology,
Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Sung (Joshua) Hyun You, PT, PhD, Movement Healing Lab, Department of Physical Therapy, Yonsei University, 234 MaeJi-Ri, Heungup-Myon, Wonju City, Kangwon-do 220-710, Republic of Korea. Tel.: +82 33 760 2476; E-mail: neurorehab@yonsei.ac.kr
Note: [1] Both authors (Do Hyeon Kim and Yong-Il Shin) have equally contributed as first coauthors in this study.
Abstract: Purpose:The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of Walkbot gait training on knee joint stiffness in an individual with spastic hemiplegia. Method:A woman with hemiparetic stroke underwent a 30-minute Walkbot robotic-assisted gait training session. Knee flexion stiffness associated with hamstring spasticity and knee extension torques during the terminal swing phase was determined before and after the intervention using the Walkbot-STIFF measurement system. Design:Descriptive case analysis. Results:Knee joint extension kinematic at the terminal swing phase increased from 2.44° to −0.28°. Knee joint torque increased from 0.26 Nm to 0.32 Nm. The knee flexion stiffness decreased from 0.0083 Nm/degree to 0.0022 Nm/degree following the training. Conclusions:The Walkbot robotic-assisted locomotor training was effective for reducing knee joint stiffness and improving extensor torque during functional gait. Moreover, the Walkbot-STIFF system was useful for assessing and monitoring spasticity during locomotor training.
