Robot-Assisted Gait Training Beneficial for Children With Cerebral Palsy

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, July 30, 2024 -- Overground robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) using a wearable robot improves gross motor function and gait pattern in children with cerebral palsy (CP), according to a study published online July 22 in JAMA Network Open.

Ja Young Choi, M.D., Ph.D., from Chungnam National University Hospital in Daejeon, Korea, and colleagues examined the effectiveness of overground RAGT in children with CP using an untethered, torque-assisted, wearable exoskeletal robot in a multicenter, single-blind randomized trial. Ninety children were included; 78 completed the intervention, including 37 and 41 randomly assigned to the RAGT and control groups, respectively. The RAGT group underwent 18 RAGT sessions during six weeks, and the control group received the same number of standard physical therapy sessions.

The researchers found that changes in the RAGT group significantly exceeded those in the control group in the Gross Motor Function Measure 88 (GMFM-88) total score, GMFM dimension E, and GMFM-66 (mean differences, 2.64, 2.70, and 1.31, respectively) and in the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adaptive Test responsibility domain scores (mean difference, 2.52), indicating independence in daily living at the assessment conducted postintervention. At the four-week follow-up, significantly greater improvements were seen in balance control and the Gait Deviation Index in the RAGT group versus the control group (mean differences, 1.48 and 6.48, respectively).

"This new torque-assisted, wearable RAGT benefits children with CP, supporting power-as-needed control, motivating children to explore walking, and providing intensive gait training," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2024-07-31 01:15

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords