A wearable ankle-assisted robot for improving gait function and pattern in stroke patients
Abstract Background Hemiplegic gait after a stroke can result in a decreased gait speed and asymmetrical gait pattern. Normal gait patterns and speed are typically the ultimate goals of gait function in stroke rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of the...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01624-w |
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| author | Su-Hyun Lee Jinuk Kim Hwang-Jae Lee Yun-Hee Kim |
| author_facet | Su-Hyun Lee Jinuk Kim Hwang-Jae Lee Yun-Hee Kim |
| author_sort | Su-Hyun Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Hemiplegic gait after a stroke can result in a decreased gait speed and asymmetrical gait pattern. Normal gait patterns and speed are typically the ultimate goals of gait function in stroke rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of the Gait Enhancing and Motivating System-Ankle (GEMS-A) on gait function and pattern in stroke patients with hemiplegia. Methods A total of 45 eligible participants was recruited for the study. The experimental protocol consisted of overground gait at a comfortable speed under 2 conditions: free gait (FG) without robot assistance and robot-assisted gait (RAG). All measurement data were collected using a 3D motion capture system with 8 infrared cameras and 2 force plates. Results Patients in the RAG condition had significantly increased gait speed, cadence, gait symmetry, and peak flexion angle and moment of the paretic ankle joint compared to the FG condition. Moreover, the RAG resulted in higher propulsive forces by altering peak ankle force generation compared with the FG. Conclusion The findings of this study provide evidence that a newly developed wearable ankle-assist robot, the GEMS-A, is a potentially useful walking assist device for improving gait function and pattern in stroke patients with hemiplegia. Trial registration NCT03767205 (first registration date: 02/12/2018, URL: https://register.clinicaltrials.gov ). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-df500735dead4af29f0cdbc98c737310 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1743-0003 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation |
| spelling | doaj-art-df500735dead4af29f0cdbc98c7373102025-08-20T03:14:07ZengBMCJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation1743-00032025-04-0122111110.1186/s12984-025-01624-wA wearable ankle-assisted robot for improving gait function and pattern in stroke patientsSu-Hyun Lee0Jinuk Kim1Hwang-Jae Lee2Yun-Hee Kim3Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of MedicineDepartment of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of MedicineBot Fit T/F, New Biz Team, Samsung ElectronicsDepartment of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of MedicineAbstract Background Hemiplegic gait after a stroke can result in a decreased gait speed and asymmetrical gait pattern. Normal gait patterns and speed are typically the ultimate goals of gait function in stroke rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of the Gait Enhancing and Motivating System-Ankle (GEMS-A) on gait function and pattern in stroke patients with hemiplegia. Methods A total of 45 eligible participants was recruited for the study. The experimental protocol consisted of overground gait at a comfortable speed under 2 conditions: free gait (FG) without robot assistance and robot-assisted gait (RAG). All measurement data were collected using a 3D motion capture system with 8 infrared cameras and 2 force plates. Results Patients in the RAG condition had significantly increased gait speed, cadence, gait symmetry, and peak flexion angle and moment of the paretic ankle joint compared to the FG condition. Moreover, the RAG resulted in higher propulsive forces by altering peak ankle force generation compared with the FG. Conclusion The findings of this study provide evidence that a newly developed wearable ankle-assist robot, the GEMS-A, is a potentially useful walking assist device for improving gait function and pattern in stroke patients with hemiplegia. Trial registration NCT03767205 (first registration date: 02/12/2018, URL: https://register.clinicaltrials.gov ).https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01624-wStrokeGaitAnkleExoskeletonGait symmetryRobotics |
| spellingShingle | Su-Hyun Lee Jinuk Kim Hwang-Jae Lee Yun-Hee Kim A wearable ankle-assisted robot for improving gait function and pattern in stroke patients Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation Stroke Gait Ankle Exoskeleton Gait symmetry Robotics |
| title | A wearable ankle-assisted robot for improving gait function and pattern in stroke patients |
| title_full | A wearable ankle-assisted robot for improving gait function and pattern in stroke patients |
| title_fullStr | A wearable ankle-assisted robot for improving gait function and pattern in stroke patients |
| title_full_unstemmed | A wearable ankle-assisted robot for improving gait function and pattern in stroke patients |
| title_short | A wearable ankle-assisted robot for improving gait function and pattern in stroke patients |
| title_sort | wearable ankle assisted robot for improving gait function and pattern in stroke patients |
| topic | Stroke Gait Ankle Exoskeleton Gait symmetry Robotics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01624-w |
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