Therapeutic effects of robotic-assisted locomotor training on neuromuscular properties

Abstract

We studied the effects of robotic-assisted locomotor (LOKOMAT) training on the neuromuscular mechanical properties and voluntary movement of the spastic ankle in persons with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). System identification techniques were used to characterize the effects of Lokomat training on the mechanical abnormalities of the ankle joint. We also determined the effects of this physical training on repeated voluntary movements of the ankle from full plantarflexion to dorsiflexion at maximum speed, quantified by measuring their kinematics parameters. We found that reflex stiffness, abnormally increased in SCI, was significantly reduced following LOKOMAT training. Active range of motion, peak-velocity and peak-acceleration of voluntary movement increased as a result of LOKOMAT training. These findings demonstrate that LOKOMAT training has a potential to modify abnormal reflex function and improve impaired voluntary movement.