Title: Outcome of walking support machine training in gait rehabilitation for chronic stroke patients
Abstract: Chronic stroke patients had restriction in mobility and ambulation due to motor weakness, abnormal muscle tone and balance impairment. The locomotor training using partial weight supported treadmill has been shown benefit in stroke patients, but cost is too high. Therefore, innovative walking support machine (CoWalk) (Fig. 1, Fig. 2) has been invented by our staffs to improve gait and balance. This study aimed to determine the effect of using CoWalk in gait performance of chronic stroke patients. Ten chronic stroke patients (≥ 6 months) with functional ambulation categories 1–3 participated in this study. The participants were received gait training using CoWalk for 15 minutes in addition with usual rehabilitation program twice a week, total 45 minutes for each session, for 8 weeks. The physical therapist adjusted percentage of body weight support according to patient's ability. Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT) were used to measure gait performance by pre-training and after the end of 8-weeks training program. Most of participants were male (70%) with mean age 67.8 ± 9.3 years. The result showed significantly improved in BBS (BBSpre- = 17.3 and post- = 23.0; P = 0.01)and 10MWT (pre- = 29.2 s and post- = 22.9 s; P = 0.005). No adverse event was reported during training. This study showed benefit of C0-Walk in addition with usual rehabilitation program. However, the further study should be considered to compare with the control group and investigate more gait parameters.