Ankle torque steadiness and gait speed after a single session of robot therapy in individuals with chronic hemiparesis: a pilot study

Autor(es)

Silva-Couto, M. A. ^{[1, 2]} ; Siqueira, A. A. G. ^[1] ; Santos, Gabriela L. ^{[2, 3]} ; Russo, Thaigo L. ^[2]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Mech Engn, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Fed Univ Sao Carlos UFSCar, Dept Phys Therapy, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Alfredo Nasser Fac, Inst Sci & Hlth, Aparecida De Goiania - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation; v. 26, n. 8 AUG 2019.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Background: Anklebot therapy has proven to be effective in improving hemiparetic gait. However, neither ankle torque steadiness nor the relationship between changes in force control and functional tasks after therapy with Anklebot were described. Objective: To assess whether a single session of robotic therapy promotes short-term ankle adaptations that influence ankle torque steadiness and walking speed in individuals with chronic hemiparesis. Methods: A sample of participants who had residual hemiparesis deficits (hemiparesis group; n = 13) and age- and sex-matched healthy control participants (control group; n = 13). For sample characterization, balance, mobility, sensorimotor impairment, and daily living activities performance were measured. Results: Differences in functional tests were identified only when the control and hemiparesis groups (F = 29.1; p = .001) were compared during the 10-metre Walking Test. Regarding the pre- and post-robotic assistance session, no significant difference was observed for any comparison (p > .05), except for the steadiness test, as demonstrated by the standard deviation (F = 7.10; p = .01) and coefficient of variation (F = 6.20; p = .02). The hemiparesis group showed better torque steadiness during dorsiflexion post-robotic assistance therapy (p >= 0.02) when compared with pre-robotic assessment. Correlations were identified between steadiness and walking speed variables. Conclusion: People with chronic hemiparesis presented short-term performance gains in torque steadiness, especially during dorsiflexion, after a single robotic therapy session. The robotic therapy did not influence the walking speed, although low to moderate correlations between torque steadiness variables and walking speed were observed. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 17/13655-6 - Sedentarismo e disfunção arterial em indivíduos pós-acidente vascular cerebral crônico
• Beneficiário: Thiago Luiz de Russo
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 14/25845-6 - Efeitos da bandagem elástica na propriocepção do ombro e no desempenho sensório-motor durante o alcance em indivíduos hemiparéticos crônicos
• Beneficiário: Gabriela Lopes dos Santos
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado