Effects of gait support in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration by a wearable robot based on synchronization control.

Only 12 patients were tested, and significant speed, stride and cadence improvements occurred in only 4, 3 and 2 of them under condition C, so the effect was not consistent. The paper states the walking tests were performed for only a short period, so it does not show long-term training effects. Participants had to be able to walk independently with a slight stagger, so the results do not apply to patients with spinocerebellar degeneration who cannot walk independently. The paper does not report randomisation, blinding, or condition order, so expectation and order effects cannot be ruled out. The paper does not report fall outcomes; it infers possible lower fall risk from previous studies linking harmonic ratio to falls. The comparison was only against walking without the powered unit while still wearing unpowered supports, not against a conventional walking aid or usual therapy.

The supplied text states funding from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. No other author conflict-of-interest disclosure is given.

Do not conclude that curara improves gait speed, stride length, cadence, or falls. The powered robot was associated with higher trunk walking smoothness scores in front-to-back and up-and-down directions during short tests, but speed, stride length and cadence improved in only 4, 3 and 2 of 12 patients under condition C.