Abstract
[Purpose] To clarify the effect on gait velocity of gait training at different walking speeds while using the HAL® robot suit. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 13 first-time stroke patients in the rehabilitation ward of our hospital. Wearing the HAL® suit, the subjects performed gait training at their preferred walking speed on one day, and at a fast walking speed on the following day. The 10-m walking time was measured before and after each training session as well as at 2 days after the fast walking speed training. [Result] No difference was found after training at the preferred walking speed, but after training at the fast walking speed and 2 days later, significant improvements in the maximum walking speed were observed. [Conclusion] The results suggest that it is easier to obtain an improvement in the walking speed of stroke patients through gait training with HAL® at a fast walking speed.
