The EFFECT OF ROBOTIC-ASSISTED GAIT TRAINING AS ADJUNCT TO TRADITIONAL THERAPY ON MOTOR IMPAIRMENTS IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

  • Dragana Đurić Fatima College of Health Sciences
  • Snezana Ilic Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Belgrade, Serbia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/afmnai40-39301
Keywords: robotic-assisted gait training, cerebral palsy, motor impairments, children

Abstract


Aims. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of robotic-assisted gait training (Lokomat) as an adjunct to traditional physiotherapy in improving range of motion and muscle strength and decreasing spasticity in children with cerebral palsy.

Materials and Methods. Twenty-six participants, mean 7.69 years, levels I-IV on Gross Motor Classification System with a bilateral and unilateral form of cerebral palsy went under intensive 20 Lokomat and 20 traditional physiotherapy sessions, each training session lasting 40 minutes.

Results. There was a positive effect of Lokomat training and traditional therapy on the range of motion (hip- flexion, extension, abduction; knee- extension; ankle- dorsiflexion, and plantar flexion), reduction of spasticity in 7.7 % – 26.9 % of participants, and muscle strength in 30.8% – 80 % of participants, depending on the side of the lower limb and muscles. The most significant improvement was in the range of knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion. Quadriceps increased muscle strength in 68%-80 % of the participants. Spasticity level was decreased by 26.9 % in adductors, hamstrings, and gastrocnemius.

Conclusion. Lokomat training is an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy treatment, having limited but not negligible effect on the increase in the range of motion and muscle strength of the lower limb and reducing spasticity overall in cerebral palsy children.

 

Author Biography

Snezana Ilic, Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Belgrade, Serbia

Associate Professor

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Published
2025/12/09
Issue
Vol. 40 No. 1 (2023): Acta facultatis medicae Naissensis
Section
Originalni rad / Original article