The effects of robot-assisted lower-limb training on stroke survivors′ cardiopulmonary function

Objective To investigate the safety of training using a lower-limb rehabilitation robot and its effectiveness in terms of stroke survivors′ cardiopulmonary function. Methods Thirty-two hemiplegic stroke survivors were randomly divided into a robot group and a control group, each of 16. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation medication and training, 120 min/d, 5 d/week for 8 weeks. The robot group was additionally trained with a Flexbot robotic gait training apparatus for 30 min/d, 5 d/week for the same 8 weeks. The subjects′ maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max), heart rate, blood pressure, ventilation (VE) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were quantified before and after the training. Results After the 8 weeks there was no significant difference in average heart rate, blood pressure, VE or RPE between the two groups. The average VO2 max of the robot group was, however, significantly higher than that of the control group. Conclusion Robotic gait training is safe and can improve the cardiopulmonary function of stroke survivors. Key words: Lower limb rehabilitation; Robots; Stroke; Oxygen consumption; Cardiopulmonary function