Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Disabil Rehabil. 2023 Nov;45(23):3861-3868. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2140848. Epub 2022 Nov 7.
Robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) is suggested to improve walking ability after stroke. The purpose of this study was to describe experiences of robotic-assisted gait training as part of a gait training intervention among persons in the chronic phase after stroke.
Semi-structured interviews were performed with 13 participants after a 6-week intervention including treadmill gait training with the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) exoskeleton. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.
Four categories emerged: (1) describes the mindset before the start of the intervention; (2) represents the experience of engaging in intensive gait training; (3) reveals barriers and facilitators during HAL training; (4) illustrates feelings of confidence or concern as the intervention ended.
The gait training intervention including RAGT was considered demanding but appreciated. Support and concrete, individual feedback was crucial for motivation, whilst the lack of variation was a barrier. Results encourage further development of exoskeletons that are comfortable to wear and stimulate active participation by enabling smoothly synchronised movements performed during task-specific activities in different environments. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONWhen provided in a suitable context, the mental and physical challenges of intensive robotic-assisted gait training can be both inspiring and motivating.Support and engagement along with informative feedback from therapists are suggested crucial for motivation.Intensive task-specific gait training may preferably be performed in an enriched environment and combined with other physiotherapy treatments to stimulate engagement.
机器人辅助步态训练（RAGT）被认为可以改善中风后的步行能力。本研究的目的是描述中风后慢性期患者进行机器人辅助步态训练作为步态训练干预的一部分的体验。
对 13 名参与者在进行了 6 周的干预后进行了半结构化访谈，包括使用 Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) 外骨骼进行跑步机步态训练。使用定性内容分析对数据进行分析。
出现了四个类别：(1)描述了干预前的心态；(2)代表了进行强化步态训练的体验；(3)揭示了 HAL 训练期间的障碍和促进因素；(4)说明了干预结束时的信心或担忧感。
包括 RAGT 的步态训练干预被认为是具有挑战性但值得赞赏的。支持和具体的个性化反馈对于激励至关重要，而缺乏变化则是一个障碍。研究结果鼓励进一步开发外骨骼，使其穿着舒适，并通过在不同环境中进行特定任务的活动时实现顺畅同步的运动，刺激积极参与。
在适当的环境下，强化机器人辅助步态训练的身心挑战既可以鼓舞人心，又可以激发动力。支持和参与以及来自治疗师的信息反馈被认为是激励的关键。强化特定于任务的步态训练最好在丰富的环境中进行，并与其他物理治疗相结合，以刺激参与。
