Citation

Pompa A, Morone G, Iosa M, Pace L, Catani S, Casillo P, Clemenzi A, Troisi E, Tonini A, Paolucci S, Grasso MG. Mult. Scler. 2016; 23(5): 696-703.

Affiliation

Multiple Sclerosis Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1352458516663033

PMID

27486219

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Robotic training is commonly used to assist walking training in patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) with non-conclusive results.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) with that of conventional walking training (CWT) on gait competencies, global ability, fatigue and spasticity in a group of severely affected patients with MS.

METHODS: A pilot, single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in 43 severe (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 6-7.5) and non-autonomous ambulant in-patients with MS. Experimental group performed 12 sessions of RAGT, whereas control group performed the same amount of CWT. Primary outcome measures were gait ability assessed by 2 minutes walking test and Functional Ambulatory Category; secondary outcomes were global ability (modified Barthel Index), global mobility (Rivermead Mobility Index), severity of disease (EDSS) and subjectively perceived fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale).

RESULTS: The number of subjects who achieved a clinical significant improvement was significantly higher in RAGT than in CWT (p < 0.05 for both primary outcome measures). RAGT also led to an improvement in all the other clinical parameters (global ability: p < 0.001, global mobility: p < 0.001, EDSS: p = 0.014 and fatigue: p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: RAGT improved the walking competencies in non-autonomous ambulant patients with MS, with benefits in terms of perceived fatigue.

© The Author(s), 2016.

Language: en