Muscle activity patterns during robotic walking and overground walking in patients with stroke

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the muscle activity of patients with stroke during robotic walking. In the robotic walking condition (RWC), subjects (n=10) walked in a robotic walking device with minimal support and a walking speed of 2.2 km/h. In the overground walking condition (OWC), subjects walked without any assistance on their preferred walking speed. The results showed significant differences between conditions in individual phases of the gait cycle. Thereby, a significant lower EMG amplitude was found in the RWC compared to the OWC. Furthermore, significant interaction effects were found indicating a higher activity of the paretic semitendinosus and gastrocnemius muscle during the RWC compared to the OWC, supporting the use of robot treadmill training after stroke. © 2010 The authors and IOS Press. All rights reserved.