Plantar Pressure Distribution During Robotic-Assisted Gait in Post-stroke Hemiplegic Patients

OBJECTIVE: To assess the plantar pressure distribution during the robotic-assisted walking, guided through normal symmetrical hip and knee physiological kinematic trajectories, with unassisted walking in post-stroke hemiplegic patients. METHODS: Fifteen hemiplegic stroke patients, who were able to walk a minimum of ten meters independently but with asymmetric gait patterns, were enrolled in this study. All the patients performed both the robotic-assisted walking (Lokomat) and the unassisted walking on the treadmill with the same body support in random order. The contact area, contact pressure, trajectory length of center of pressure (COP), temporal data on both limbs and asymmetric index of both limbs were obtained during both walking conditions, using the F-Scan in-shoe pressure measurement system. RESULTS: The contact area of midfoot and total foot on the affected side were significantly increased in robotic-assisted walking as compared to unassisted walking (p<0.01). The contact pressure of midfoot and total foot on affected limbs were also significantly increased in robotic-assisted walking (p<0.05). The anteroposterior and mediolateral trajectory length of COP were not significantly different between the two walking conditions, but their trajectory variability of COP was significantly improved (p<0.05). The asymmetric index of area, stance time, and swing time during robotic-assisted walking were statistically improved as compared with unassisted walking (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The robotic-assisted walking may be helpful in improving the gait stability and symmetry, but not the physiologic ankle rocker function.