To Investigate the Effects of Robotic-assisted Gait Training in Stroke Patients

Investigation Of The Effects Of Virtual Reality Application With Robotic Rehabilitation In Patients With Chronic Stroke.

The primary aim of the study was to investigate the effects of robot-assisted gait training and virtual reality on knee joint position sense in patients with chronic stroke. The secondary objective is to examine the effectiveness of these applications on functional gait and balance.

Despite widespread prevention programs worldwide and advances in acute and subacute management and treatment protocols, stroke remains one of the most common causes of adult disability, representing a serious global health problem. Sensory motor dysfunction, proprioception deficits and hypertonus may develop in stroke patients depending on the location and severity of the brain damaged areas. Virtual reality application, which has been widely used in recent years, is a three-dimensional, computer-generated technology that gives the patient a sense of reality and allows the patient to interact with it. Virtual reality application can be used as a suitable method for proprioceptive rehabilitation due to its ability to manipulate visual feedback of virtual objects. In recent years, another technological method that has been used in the field of neurorehabilitation is robotic rehabilitation. Robot-assisted gait training, which requires repetitive tasks, can enhance neuroplasticity and motor learning, which focuses on the rearrangement of brain tissue. Both technology-based rehabilitation approaches have been shown to be particularly effective in improving the sense of position in the upper extremity. However, studies investigating the effects of these two applications on lower extremity position sensation seem to be insufficient. We think that both methods will be effective in improving the sense of position.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having been diagnosed with stroke by specialist physician,
• 6 months after stroke diagnosis,
• Hemiplegia or hemiparesis due to stroke for the first time,
• Being over 18,
• Being able to walk with auxiliary device or independently,
• Mini Mental test score> 24,
• Functional Ambulation Classification FAC ≥ 2,
• Agree to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute internal discomfort,
• Botulinum toxin administration during 6 months before treatment or during treatment,
• Presence of a history of previous stroke,
• Having influence on both sides,
• Neglect syndrome,
• Presence of severe spasticity (Modified Ashwort Scale> 2),
• Patients weighing more than 100 kg,
• Patients with femoral lengths greater than 50cm