Robotic-Assisted Gait Training in Children with Cerebral Palsy in Clinical Practice

This study aimed to assess the outcomes of robotic-assisted gait training (RGT) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) in real clinical practice. Data collected from children with CP undergoing RGT-based intervention using the Lokomat® system was retrospectively reviewed. Results for walking speed (ten-meter walk test) and walking endurance (six-minute walk test) before and after the RGT interventions were evaluated. 51 subjects completed 69 RGT interventions (i.e. sets of training sessions). 34 subjects completed 1 intervention; 16 subjects completed 2 interventions; 1 subject completed 3 interventions. 17 interventions were associated with evaluations of walking speed. 35 interventions were associated with evaluations of walking endurance. Significant differences were observed pre-training vs. post-training for both walking speed (1.29±0.51 vs. 1.43±0.48 m/s, p<0.01) and walking endurance (238±120 vs. 273±122 meters, p<0.01). RGT in children with CP results in improvements in walking speed and walking endurance.