Improving Functional Outcomes and Neuroplasticity by Using Ekso
Stroke
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Stroke focused on measuring Ekso, neuroplasticity, functional recovery
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
(i) age ≥55 years; (ii) a first-ever ischemic supra-tentorial stroke (confirmed by MRI scan) at least 6 months before their enrollment; (iii) an unilateral hemiparesis, with a Muscle Research Council -MCR- score ≤3; (iv) ability to follow verbal instructions, with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) >24; (v) a Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score ≤2; (vi) no severe bone or joint disease; and (vii) no history of concomitant neurodegenerative diseases or brain surgery.
Exclusion Criteria:
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Sites / Locations
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo"
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Ekso training
Overground training
All patients underwent twenty-four Ekso sessions, scheduled 3 times a week. Each session lasted about 1h, and included transferring into the device arranged on an office chair; donning, standing, walking, sitting, doffing; and transferring out of the exoskeleton.The user can stand up, sit down, and walk with help of a front-wheeled walker and with the exoskeleton attached to a ceiling rail tether. A physical therapist initially provides assistance to maintain the user's center of mass over the base of support to prevent falling.
Conventional gait training overground; before the training 10 min lower limb muscular exercises and stretching were performed by the physiotherapist. The overground training had the same duration of the Ekso training.