2026 Volume 53 Issue 1 Pages 36-43
Objective: This study retrospectively examined patients in the convalescent phase after stroke who received walking assistance using either the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) or WW-2000 (WW) device.
Methods: Patients who underwent walking training with each robot for more than two weeks were divided into respective groups, and their walking independence, lower limb motor function, balance ability, activities of daily living independence, and cognitive function were evaluated.
Results: At the start of the intervention, there were no differences in walking independence or cognitive function; however, the other parameters showed significantly higher values in the HAL group. In terms of changes before and after the intervention, both groups showed significant improvement in each item, with the HAL group showing significantly greater improvement than the WW group in walking independence and balance ability.
Conclusion: Among post-stroke patients in the convalescent phase, HAL was selected for those with relatively high lower limb motor function, balance ability, and activities of daily living ability, whereas WW was selected for those with lower levels. Furthermore, HAL was advantageous for improving walking independence and balance ability, whereas the use of WW suggested that functional improvement through robot-assisted therapy is also expected in patients with severe disabilities.
