Over the years, the development in medical technology has rapidly improved. Using devices such as robotics, many patients suffering from stroke has difficulties performing loco motor tasks such as walking or stair climbing. In this section I shall be evaluating the use of electromechanical gait training for restoration of gait within hemiplegic patients in neuro-rehabilitation.
As explained earlier in the report, stroke is a neurological disorder occurring in the brain, which leads to the limitation of motor capabilities, resulting in hemiparesis or hemiplegia. Early physiotherapy intervention in gait training has been proven to be beneficial for patients after a stroke (Richards et al, 1993). However, conventional gait training alone, without the use of other interventions such as electromechanical gait training, often concludes to an asymmetrical gait pattern in many patients after a stroke (Visintin, 1994). It has been demonstrated that intensive task specific training such as electromechanical gait training increases supraspinal plasticity in the body’s motor centers of hemiplegic patients, which is involved in locomotion (Winchester et al, 2005) increasing the symmetry of gait pattern. Therefore increasing stability and decreasing falls …show more content…
Treadmill ambulation training with body weight support (BWS) has proven to control gait balance, stepping and weight shifting (Hesse et al, 1994). In a randomized controlled study to test the theory of BWS treadmill ambulation training (Visintin et al, 1998). A significant percentage of the patients who were trained to walk with up to 40% of their body weight regained better walking abilities than those who were fully weight
As explained earlier in the report, stroke is a neurological disorder occurring in the brain, which leads to the limitation of motor capabilities, resulting in hemiparesis or hemiplegia. Early physiotherapy intervention in gait training has been proven to be beneficial for patients after a stroke (Richards et al, 1993). However, conventional gait training alone, without the use of other interventions such as electromechanical gait training, often concludes to an asymmetrical gait pattern in many patients after a stroke (Visintin, 1994). It has been demonstrated that intensive task specific training such as electromechanical gait training increases supraspinal plasticity in the body’s motor centers of hemiplegic patients, which is involved in locomotion (Winchester et al, 2005) increasing the symmetry of gait pattern. Therefore increasing stability and decreasing falls …show more content…
Treadmill ambulation training with body weight support (BWS) has proven to control gait balance, stepping and weight shifting (Hesse et al, 1994). In a randomized controlled study to test the theory of BWS treadmill ambulation training (Visintin et al, 1998). A significant percentage of the patients who were trained to walk with up to 40% of their body weight regained better walking abilities than those who were fully weight