Training Effect of the Robot Suit HAL for Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: a Single Case Study

Abstract

[Purpose] To clarify the effect of gait training using the Robot Suit HAL on walking ability of an individual with incomplete spinal cord injury. [Subject] A subject with Incomplete paraplegia for 13 years. [Methods] We employed a single case study ABA design. Period A was treadmill training and Period B was treadmill training with HAL. Primary outcomes were 10-m walking speed, and cadence. Secondary outcomes were knee extension torque, total length of postural sway, and the ratio of the left stance phase to the right stance phase in the walking cycle. [Results] The walking speed and cadence were greater in A2 than in the other periods. Total length of postural sway was significantly lower at the end of B than at the ends of the other periods. The ratio of the right to left stance was closer to 1:1 at the end of B than at the ends of the other periods. [Conclusions] The subject likely gained muscle strength, static standing balance, and gait improvement by using HAL. However, it will be necessary to do additional gait training without HAL to translate the effects of HAL into walking ability.