Effect of the kickstart exoskeleton lower extremity walking system on improving lower extremity walking ability in subacute stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial

Title : Effect of the kickstart exoskeleton lower extremity walking system on improving lower extremity walking ability in subacute stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract:

Background: Walking dysfunction is a primary cause of a reduced ability to perform activities of daily living and decreased quality of life in stroke patients. The kickstart walk assist system is portable and easy to don and remove. There is a lack of high-quality, randomized controlled trials to validate its effectiveness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the kickstart walk assist system in improving lower limb muscle strength and walking ability in stroke patients.

Methods: Forty-six patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to either a control group (n=23) or a kickstart group (n=23). Both groups received conventional rehabilitation therapy. In addition, patients in the kickstart group wore the kickstart walk assist system for 20 minutes, and patients in the control group received walking training for 20 minutes. The outcome measures included the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Lower Extremity motor function (FMA-LE), gait parameters, the 10MWT, the Borg Subjective Fatigue Scale (Borg), and surface ElectroMyoGraphy (sEMG).

Results: Compared with the control group, the kickstart group showed more significant improvements in FMA-LE at 4 and 8 weeks (P=0.025, P=0.028), 10-MWT (P=0.256), Borg at 8 weeks (P=0.035), sEMG (P<0.05), and gait parameters (P>0.05). No adverse events were observed during or after the intervention.

Conclusion: The kickstart walk assist system can increase stroke patients' lower limb strength and motor function and improve their walking ability.

Biography:

Prof.Chengpan Liang studied Rehabilitation Medicine and Sciences of Physical Therapy at the Soochow University, and received his Master degree in 2015 at the same university. He is working at Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, serving as the director of the Rehabilitation Therapy Department and an associate professor at Wuxi Taihu College. He is a member of the Physical Therapy Professional Committee of the Chinese Rehabilitation Medicine Association, a Standing Committee member of the Jiangsu Provincial Physical Therapy Professional Committee. He has published 15 research articles in core journals both domestically and internationally. He is particularly skilled in the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and sports injuries.