Clinical course of physical therapy using Hybrid Assistive Limb for two patients with inclusion body myositis at different levels of physical function

Abstract

Objective : To evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation using a hybrid assistive limb (HAL) in two patients with inclusion body myositis (IBM)

Methods : A male in his 60s had lower limb muscle weakness and difficulty standing (Case 1). The rehabilitation goal was to improve standing movements, and the HAL was set to “STAND” mode. A female in her 60s had lower limb muscle weakness and difficulty in climbing stairs and standing (Case 2). The rehabilitation goal was to improve walking and stair climbing, and the HAL was set to “WALK” mode. Each patient underwent two courses of nine 60–minute HAL sessions over 4 weeks, with a 3–month interval between the two courses.

Results : Case 1 showed reduction of minimum seat height required for standing, increase of walking speed, decrease of serum creatine kinase (CK) levels, and same or better European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 3 Level Version (EQ–5D–3L) scores. Case 2 showed increase of walking speed, increased 2–minute walking distance, decrease of serum CK levels, and maintenance of EQ–5D–3L scores.

Conclusions : Rehabilitation using HAL may be not only temporary improvement in walking ability in patients with IBM but also in maintaining their quality of life.