Objective
To measure muscle activity before and after robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in patients with stroke and examine the differences in muscle activity changes compared with conventional gait training (CGT).
Methods
Thirty patients with stroke (RAGT group, n=17; CGT group, n=13) participated in the study. All patients underwent RAGT using a footpad locomotion interface or CGT for 20 minutes for a total of 20 sessions. Outcome measures were lower-limb muscle activity and gait speed. Measurements were performed before the start of the intervention and after the end of the 4-week intervention.
Results
The RAGT group showed increased muscle activity in the gastrocnemius, whereas the CGT group showed high muscle activity in the rectus femoris. In the terminal stance of the gait cycle, the gastrocnemius, the increase in muscle activity was significantly higher in the RAGT group than in the CGT group.
Conclusion
The results suggest that RAGT with end-effector type is more effective than CGT to increase the gastrocnemius muscle activity.

Citations

• Effect and optimal exercise prescription of robot-assisted gait training on lower extremity motor function in stroke patients: a network meta-analysis
  Haiping Huang, Xinyi Su, Beisi Zheng, Manting Cao, Yuqian Zhang, Jianer Chen
  Neurological Sciences.2025; 46(3): 1151.     CrossRef
• Efficacy of robot-assisted gait training on lower extremity function in subacute stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  Miao-miao Hu, Shan Wang, Cai-qin Wu, Kun-peng Li, Zhao-hui Geng, Guo-hui Xu, Lu Dong
  Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef