Training intensity of robot-assisted gait training in children with cerebral palsy

AimWe compared three different intensities of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) for achieving favourable outcomes in children with cerebral palsy (CP).MethodThis study was conducted using a randomized controlled, single-blind design. Thirty children (19 males and 11 females; mean age 6 years 1 month, SD 2 years) with CP classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II and III were assigned to three different RAGT intensity groups: high-intensity (fastest walking speed and lowest body weight support [BWS]), low-intensity (slowest speed and highest BWS), and comfortable intensity (intermediate speed and intermediate BWS). The RAGT intervention was performed three times a week for 6 weeks. Outcome measures included the 88-item Gross Motor Function Measure, stability index, spatiotemporal parameters of gait analysis, paediatric functional independence measure, and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure.ResultsThe 88-item Gross Motor Function Measure was significantly improved after training in the high-intensity (D Delta 8.3 +/- 15.6; E Delta 3.8 +/- 4.1) and comfortable intensity (D Delta 2.9 +/- 3.1; E Delta 1.2 +/- 2.0) groups, whereas gait speed was improved in the comfortable intensity group, without statistically significant group differences. Only the low-intensity group showed improvement on the stability index (Delta -0.6 +/- 0.9, p = 0.05). Everyday functional performance significantly improved in all three groups, with the comfortable intensity group showing the greatest improvement.InterpretationDifferent training intensities produced improvement in different areas; individualized RAGT intensity adjustment is therefore needed based on the rehabilitation goal. image