Background: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that most commonly affects young adults. Characteristic inflammatory demyelinations with axonal damage often lead to complex neurological deficits. Due to gait disturbances, the focus of rehabilitation is on improving mobility. Robotassisted gait training, enabled by the Lokomat, is particularly promising for those with severe conditions. Methods: A literature search was conducted by reviewing the PubMed database in November 2023. Results: Eight studies were included in this review. Comparison between experimental and control groups in three stud ies showed statistically significant improvements in walking speed (0.08 m/s faster in 10MWT and 4.1 s less in 25FWT) and endurance (walked 8-33.9 m further) with Lokomat. Only one study reported such improvements in balance (scored 2.6 points more on the Berg scale). Compared to conventional approaches, Lokomat also showed statistically significant improvements in knee extensor strength (+ 39.2 N), cadence (+ 6.6 steps), and step length (+ 0.03 m). Conclusions: Based on the results, we can conclude that robot-assisted gait training with the Lokomat can improve walking speed, endurance, and other gait parameters in patients with multiple sclerosis. Further research is needed to determine the optimal combination of Lokomat training parameters.
|