Gait Velocity and Spasticity Strengthened by LegTutor

Dr.Tomofumi Yamaguchi of the Department of Rehabilitation, Keio University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan et al conducted a study about the
immediate effects of electrical stimulation combined with passive locomotion-like movement on gait velocity and spasticity.
The design was a single-masked, randomized controlled trial.
There were twenty-seven stroke inpatients in subacute phase (ischemic n=16, hemorrhagic n=11).
The interventions included a novel approach using electrical stimulation combined with passive locomotion-like movement.
The main measures used were that they assessed the maximum gait speed and modified Ashworth scale before and 20 minutes after the interventions.
The results found were that the gait velocity of the electrical stimulation combined with passive locomotion-like movement group showed the increase form 0.68±0.28 (mean±SD, unit: m) to 0.76±0.32 after the intervention. Both the electrical stimulation group and passive locomotion-like movement group also showed increases after the interventions (from 0.76±0.37 to 0.79±0.40, from 0.74±0.35 to 0.77±0.36, respectively). The gait velocity of the electrical stimulation combined with passive locomotion-like movement group differed significantly from those of the other groups (electrical stimulation combined with passive locomotion-like movement versus electrical stimulation:P=0.049, electrical stimulation combined with passive locomotion-like movement versus passive locomotion-like movement: P=0.025). Although there was no statistically significant difference in the modified Ashworth scale among the three groups, six of the nine subjects (66.6%) in the electrical stimulation combined with passive locomotion-like movement group showed improvement in the modified Ashworth scale score, while only three of the nine subjects (33.3%) in the electrical stimulation group and two of the nine subjects (22.2%) improved in the passive locomotion-like movement group.
The conclusions drawn were that these findings suggest electrical stimulation combined with passive locomotion-like movement could improve gait velocity in stroke patients.
Following a stroke rehabilitation therapy should include the LegTutor to assist in gait velocity and Spasticity.
The LegTutor™ system has been developed to allow for functional rehabilitation of the lower extremity. The system consists of an ergonomic wearable leg brace and dedicated rehabilitation software. The LegTutor™ system allows for a range of biomechanical evaluation including speed, passive and active range of motion and motion analysis of the lower extremity. Quantitative biomechanical data allow for objective evaluation and rehabilitation treatment follow up. The LegTutor™ rehabilitation concept is based on performing controlled exercise rehabilitation practice at a patient customized level with real time accurate feedback on the patient’s performance. The exercises are designed in the form of challenging games that are suitable for a wide variety of neurological and orthopedic injury and disease.
The games challenge the patient to perform the exercise task to their best ability and to continue exercise practice.
The LegTutor™ and its sister devices (HandTutor, ArmTutor, 3DTutor) allows for isolated and a combination of knee and three directional hip treatment. The system provides detailed exercise performance instructions and precise feedback on the patients exercise performance. Controlled exercise of multi joints within the normal movement pattern prevents the development of undesired and compensatory joint movement and ensures better performance of functional tasks.
The LegTutor™ system is used by many leading rehabilitation .centers worldwide and has full FDA and CE certification. See www.HandTutor.com for more information.