Gait improvements by assisting hip movements with the robot in children with cerebral palsy: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Shihomi Kawasaki, Koji Ohata, Takeshi Yoshida and 2 others
PMID 32620131WHAT IT FOUND
Five minutes of hip-assistive robot training improved hip movement symmetry and push-off force in children with cerebral palsy, but did not increase walking speed.
The benefits were temporary and seen only after the robot was removed.
Key findings
01Gait speed, the primary outcome, did not change significantly after either robot-assisted or non-assisted training.
02Hip flexion angles and limb symmetry improved significantly after robot-assisted training, but not after non-assisted training.
03Propulsion force on the affected side increased after robot-assisted training, while it decreased on the unaffected side after non-assisted training.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The sample size was very small (10 children), limiting the ability to generalize findings. The primary outcome (gait speed) was null, while secondary outcomes were positive. Treadmill speed was significantly slower than the children's overground walking speed due to HWA mechanical limits, which may have prevented gait speed improvements. Kinetic data could only be analyzed for 7 participants because force plate placement was difficult for children. The training duration was only about 5 minutes, which may be insufficient for long-term motor learning. The study was funded by the manufacturer of the device.
Declared interests
The study was funded by Honda R&D Co., Ltd., the developer of the Honda Walking Assist robot.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the improved hip symmetry and propulsion as evidence that this robot will make children walk faster or better in daily life. The primary outcome of gait speed did not change, and the effects were observed only immediately after a very brief 5-minute training session.