The immediate effect of the Honda Walking Assist Device on foot and ankle function in hemiplegic stroke patients.

The stroke sample was small, with 16 patients, so the results are not enough to guide practice. The reliability test was done in healthy participants, and only 7 of the 10 recruited were analysed, so it does not show that the device measures stroke gait reliably. Three healthy participants were excluded because their walking time changed by 0.5 seconds or more, which may affect the reliability result. The assisted trial included both the device and a three minute assisted walking exercise, so the device alone cannot be identified as the cause of any change. The walking order was fixed as without, with, then without, so practice or fatigue effects cannot be ruled out. The study tested only immediate walking, not long term training or daily life function. The device only measured and assisted the hip joint, so the relationship with knee and ankle movement was not directly tested. Patients were divided into speed change groups after the test, so the toe grip and orthosis findings are associations, not proof of cause.

The paper reports no funding and no conflicts of interest directly relevant to the content.

Do not conclude that the Honda device alone changed hip movement or improved walking. The assisted trial also included a three minute assisted walking exercise, and walking speed did not increase.