Robot-Assisted Stair Climbing Training

Robot-assisted Locomotor and Stair Climbing Training for Improving Mobility and Participation in Daily Activities in Persons Affected by Stroke: a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Stair climbing up and down is an essential part of everyday's mobility. Physiotherapy is focused on muscle strengthening, real floor walking and stairs climbing tasks, but these methods do not stress in terms of intensity stair-climbing practice. The aims of this study is to compare whether an intensive robot-assisted stair climbing training (RASCT) is more effective than conventional physiotherapy (CP) for improving stair climbing ability, gait and postural control in stroke patients.

Trial design: A pilot randomized (allocation ratio 1:1), single blind clinical trial (RCT) comparing the effects between the experimental [Robot-Assisted Stair Climbing Training group (RASCT)] and control group (Conventional Physiotherapy, CP) in improving stair climbing ability and postural control in stroke patients. The examiner will be blind to group assignment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• First-ever ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke;
• More than or equal to 3 months post stroke;
• Age>18 years;
• Mini- Mental State Examination (MMSE) score more than 23;
• Ability to stand for at least 1 min without arm support; ability to walk independently for at least 10 m with or without walking aids;
• Functional Ambulation Category score equal or more than 1.
• Signed informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe cognitive or communicative disorders that hamper collaboration;
• Unstable cardiovascular system conditions (i.e. labile compensated cardiac insufficiency, angina pectoris), deep vein thrombosis, severe neurological or orthopedic diseases which massively affect lower limb mobility; severe joint misalignment;
• Treatment of lower limb spasticity (i.e. botulinum toxin) in the 3 months prior to the start of the study and/or during its execution.