Energy consumption and cost during walking with different modalities of assistance after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: Walking, unassisted and with the use of assistive devices and lower limb orthoses, induces low- to moderate-intensity exercise as recommended by exercise guidelines for stroke survivors. Future studies should explore whether bodyweight-supported or robot-assisted walking can also reach moderate-intensity. Implications for Rehabilitation To induce sufficient cardiorespiratory stress during gait rehabilitation (i.e., moderate-intensity), therapists should train ambulatory patients with stroke without any assistance or if needed with the help of assistive devices or lower limb orthoses. For severely impaired patients who cannot walk independently, therapists could use bodyweight support systems, exoskeletons, or end-effectors to induce low-intensity aerobic exercise. PMID: 30668170 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Disability and Rehabilitation - Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Tags: Disabil Rehabil Source Type: research