Lokomat Training to Improve Gait in Multiple Sclerosis and Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease
By Lo, Albert C.; Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, Volume 17, Number 1, pages 66-69Publication Date: 2011
Paper reports on the use of robot assisted gait training to treat gait impairment in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). The robotic device used was the Lokomat, which attaches to the lower extremity and assists with gait movements synchronized with a motorized treadmill. Three studies are described: (1) a dual crossover design investigation comparing the efficacy of 2 treatments, training with the Lokomat and body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT), in which 13 participants were enrolled and randomized to 2 treatment groups, with 40 minute training sessions performed twice a week for a total of 12 sessions; and (2) a small study with 8 participants, in which 20 minutes of Lokomat training followed by 20 minutes of BWSTT were combined during 16 sessions; and (3) a study examining the effects of continuous physical cueing using sensorimotor gait training on reducing freezing of gait (FOG) episodes, which involved 4 participants with PD and FOG symptoms receiving ten 30 minute sessions of Lokomat training. Outcomes collected in the studies included quantitative temporal-spatial gait data as well as patient self-reported quality of life. Findings showed that robot assisted gait training can result in positive improvements in gait and quality of life in the MS population and reduce FOG in the PD population.
Assistive Products Discussed: LOKOMATPRO (VERSIONS 5 & 6)
LOKOMATNANO
Published by: Thomas Land Publishers, Inc. (Website:http://www.thomasland.com)
