The effects of robotic and conventional gait training in addition to neurodevelopmental treatment on balance, mobility, and health-related quality of life in patients with stroke

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the eects of robotic and conventional gait training in addition to neuro-logic rehabilitation programs based on neuro-developmental therapy (NDT-Bobath) principles on balance, mobility, and quality of life in patients with stroke. Methods: A total of 64 patients with chronic stroke were included in the study. All patients participated in the neurologic rehabilitation program based on NDT-Bobath principles. Thirty-two patients had robotic gait training in addition, whereas the other 32 patients had conventional gait training in addition. After recording the demographic data, the Timed-Up and Go Test, Rivermead Mobility Index, Berg Balance Test, and Nottingham Health Prole were used to assess the balance, mobility, and quality of life. All patients had 30 sessions of NDT-Bobath therapy. In addition to the NDT-Bobath therapy, patients in the robotic gait group participated in total of 15 sessions of robotic gait training, 3 times per week, and the other group had 15 sessions of conventional gait training, 3 times per week. All assessments were repeated after the treatment. Results: There were signicant improvements (p<0.05) in balance, mobility, and quality of life between baseline and after treatment in both groups. After comparing the obtained dierences in all parameters between baseline and after treatment, no dierence was found between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: Both conventional and robotic gait training in addition to NDT-Bobath therapy are eective in the rehabilitation of patients with stroke in terms of balance, mobility, and quality of life, and their application in clinical setting is reliable.