A Novel Approach to Robot-Supported Training of Symmetry, Propulsion and Balance During Walking After Stroke: A Case Study

To what extent gait function will be affected after a stroke depends much on the extent of neurological brain lesion and its location in the brain. Gait in stroke survivors is characterized with certain degree of gait asymmetry, weak or absent forward propulsion on the impaired side, delayed and reduced as well as less coordinated responses to external perturbations. We have recently developed an admittance-controlled Balance Assessment Robot (BAR-TM) that was used in the present research case report in long-term symmetry, push-off and perturbation training with a stroke survivor. Results show that throughout the training selected patient considerably improved gait symmetry, push-off and the timing as well as the response strategy to perturbations.