The Kickstart Walk Assist System for improving balance and walking function in stroke survivors: a feasibility study.
Jiajia Yao, Takashi Sado, Wenli Wang and 4 others
PMID 33627142WHAT IT FOUND
Stroke survivors walked faster and bore weight more evenly while wearing a lightweight passive exoskeleton.
However, the device did not improve Timed Up and Go scores or walking speed, and participants found it uncomfortable and difficult to put on. This is a short-term feasibility study, not proof of recovery.
Key findings
01Participants completed the 10-meter walk test significantly faster while wearing the device compared to not wearing it.
02Weight-bearing asymmetry between the legs was significantly reduced when participants wore the exoskeleton.
03There was no significant difference in Timed Up and Go test performance with or without the device.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
This was a feasibility study, not a randomized controlled trial, so it cannot determine if the device causes long-term recovery. Participants were in inpatient rehabilitation, so the effects of the device cannot be separated from the concurrent routine rehabilitation they received. The study period was very short (five days of familiarization), which may have affected comfort ratings and performance. The device increased step width, which the authors suggest may be due to the bulk of the device's shoe component, potentially indicating a trade-off in gait normalcy for speed. The sample size was small (30 participants) and predominantly male (27 of 30).
Declared interests
The study was funded by Shanghai Real Star Rehabilitation Equipment Co., Ltd., the manufacturer of the device, as well as several government and institutional grants.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the improved 10-meter walk time as evidence that this device restores walking ability or speeds up recovery. The study only showed short-term mechanical assistance during testing, not long-term functional gains, and key measures like walking speed and Timed Up and Go performance did not improve.