Immediate effects of a single session of robot-assisted gait training using Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) for cerebral palsy

• Published in: Journal of Physical Therapy Science Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 207 - 212
• Main Authors: Matsuda, Mayumi, Mataki, Yuki, Mutsuzaki, Hirotaka, Yoshikawa, Kenichi, Takahashi, Kazushi, Enomoto, Keiko, Sano, Kumiko, Mizukami, Masafumi, Tomita, Kazuhide, Ohguro, Haruka, Iwasaki, Nobuaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Society of Physical Therapy Science 01-01-2018; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Cerebral palsy; Gait; Hybrid Assistive Limb; Knee; Original; Robot-assisted gait training; Robot-assisted gait training; Cerebral palsy; Hybrid Assistive Limb
• ISSN: 0915-5287; 2187-5626
• DOI: 10.1589/jpts.30.207

[Purpose] Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) using Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL, CYBERDYNE) was previously reported beneficial for stroke and spinal cord injury patients. Here, we investigate the immediate effect of a single session of RAGT using HAL on gait function for cerebral palsy (CP) patients. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve patients (average age: 16.2 ± 7.3 years) with CP received a single session of RAGT using HAL. Gait speed, step length, cadence, single-leg support per gait cycle, hip and knee joint angle in stance, and swing phase per gait cycle were assessed before, during, and immediately after HAL intervention. [Results] Compared to baseline values, single-leg support per gait cycle (64.5 ± 15.8% to 69.3 ± 12.1%), hip extension angle in mid-stance (149.2 ± 19.0° to 155.5 ± 20.1°), and knee extension angle in mid-stance (137.6 ± 20.2° to 143.1 ± 19.5°) were significantly increased immediately after intervention. Further, the knee flexion angle in mid-swing was significantly decreased immediately after treatment (112.0 ± 15.5° to 105.2 ± 17.1°). Hip flexion angle in mid-swing also decreased following intervention (137.2 ± 14.6° to 129.7 ± 16.6°), but not significantly. Conversely, gait speed, step length, and cadence were unchanged after intervention. [Conclusion] A single-time RAGT with HAL improved single-leg support per gait cycle and hip and knee joint angle during gait, therapeutically improving gait function in CP patients.