Introduction: Stroke is the second leading cause of death in the world. Stroke survivors
most often have problems with their gait and balance. There are several ways to train gait
and balance. One of the most investigated types of gait training is robotic-assisted gait
training (RAGT). It is used for lower limb rehabilitation and is usually combined with a
conventional physiotherapy. In Slovenia, the Lokomat system is used for this type of
training. It is not yet clear whether it is superior to conventional physiotherapy. Purpose:
The purpose of this thesis was to determine, based on a literature review, how robotic
assisted gait training affects balance and gait in stroke patients. Methods: The literature was
searched in the PubMed database. The following combination of words was used: robot
assisted gait training AND stroke. The following inclusion criteria were used: studies
available in full text, randomised controlled trials, studies published between 2018 and 2023,
studies in English. Results: Seven randomised controlled trials were included in the
literature review. All of them investigated the effect of RAGT on gait and balance in post
stroke patients. The studies included subjects of both genders at different periods after stroke,
different types of stroke, different affected side and different functional status. RAGT was
performed alone or in combination with conventional physiotherapy. In all studies there was
a statistically significant improvement in gait and balance, but in some studies there was no
statistically significant difference between RAGT and gait training without the use of robotic
devices. Discussion and conclusion: It has been found that RAGT combined with
conventional physiotherapy treatment is more effective compared to physiotherapy
treatment without the use of robotic devices in all post-stroke periods. Patients in the acute
phase and those who were unable to walk independently benefit the most from RAGT. In
the future, better quality randomised controlled trials with larger sample sizes and longer
post-treatment follow-up at different time points after stroke are needed to report with
certainty on the effects of RAGT.
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