Utilization of Robotic Exoskeleton for Overground Walking in Acute and Chronic Stroke

Stroke commonly results in gait deficits which impacts functional ambulation and quality of life. Robotic exoskeletons (RE) for overground walking are devices that are programmable to provide high dose and movement-impairment specific assistance thus offering new rehabilitation possibilities for recovery progression in individuals post stroke. The purpose of this investigation is to present preliminary utilization data in individuals with acute and chronic stroke after walking overground with an RE. Secondary analysis on a subset of individuals is presented to understand the mechanistic changes due to RE overground walking. Thirty-eight participants with hemiplegia secondary to stroke were enrolled in a clinical trial conducted at eight rehabilitation centers. Data is presented for four sessions of overground walking in the RE over the course of 2 weeks. Participants continued their standard of care if they had any ongoing therapy at the time of study enrollment. Gait speed during the 10 Meter Walk Test, Gait deviations and the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) data were collected before (baseline) and after (follow-up) the RE walking sessions. Walking speed significantly increased between baseline and follow-up for participants in the chronic (p