Hesse, S. et al “Robot-Assisted Practice of Gait and Stair Climbing in Non-Ambulatory Stroke Patients.” JRRD Volume 49, Number 4, 2012, p. 613–622. (2)
In a randomized controlled clinical trial involving 30 non-ambulatory stroke survivors on the robot-assisted practice of gait and stairs climbing, the functional ambulation ability (FAC score) of the robot-treated group improved significantly more when compared to the control group. Analysis showed that task-specific repetitive robotic approach significantly lead towards independency in the ability to walk and to climb stairs. Because of the higher training intensity, the experimental group patients reached a superior gait and stair climbing ability after the intervention and at the follow up showing long lasting improvements.