The experience of the gait training with the Honda Walking Assist for a case with incomplete paraplegia: the changes of the gait pattern by wearing the robot

Abstract

  Difference of gait pattern between with and without the robotic device is unknown while the efficacy of the gait-assistive robotic device has been reported occasionally. In the present study, kinematics and temporal-spatial characteristics during gait with the Honda Walking Assist was compared to without it. A female patient in her 70s had the grade D paraplegia in the ASIA impairment scale below T4 due to acute aortic dissection. While she was able to walk with a t-cane under the supervision, the compensatory movement was observed in the swing phase. The body-weight-supported gait on the treadmill with and without the Honda Walking Assist was performed. The gait cycles of the left leg was captured and analyzed with the motion analysis software (Kinovea). The results suggested that the gait training with the pattern close to normal and functional gait is available with the Honda Walking Assist.