The Potential of Robotic-Assisted Gait Training in a Rehabilitation Setting

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-80
SponsorLudwig Boltzmann Institute for Arthritis and Rehabilitation

About this trial

Robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) devices, such as the Lokomat®, are commonly used to support gait rehabilitation by enabling repetitive, task-specific walking movements. The functional proprioceptive stimulation (FPS) device Vibramoov® represents a novel technology designed to stimulate proprioceptors at the muscle-tendon junction through targeted vibratory stimuli, thereby activating sensorimotor centers in the brain and potentially facilitating movement execution.

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate whether Lokomat® training combined with Vibramoov® leads to greater improvements in qualitative and quantitative gait parameters in stroke patients compared with Lokomat® training alone. The study will be conducted at the Gröbming Rehabilitation Center and will include patients undergoing a four-week neurological inpatient rehabilitation program. Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group (Lokomat® + Vibramoov®) or a control group (Lokomat® only), with 20 patients per group.

Primary outcomes include the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and spatiotemporal gait parameters. Additional assessments include functional scores, patient-reported outcome measures, and blood biomarkers. Statistical analyses will be performed depending on data distribution. A follow-up assessment evaluating EQ-5D and PHQ-4 will be conducted six months after completion of the rehabilitation program.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Diagnosis of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) ≥ 3 months

Age ≥ 18a and ≤ 80a

6MWT ≤ 200m

Barthel Index ≤ 95

Disqualifiers

The presence of any comorbidity or disability other than stroke that would preclude gait training

Any uncontrolled health condition for which exercise is contraindicated

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Lokomat + Vibramoov

    Device

    The conventional Robotic Assisted Gait Training is combined with vibrational stimuli which is a novel approach.

  • Lokomat

    Device

    Conventional Robotic Assisted Gait Training with the Lokomat

Treatment groups

40 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Lokomat + VibramoovExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: LokomatActive comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Spatio Temporal Gait Parameter (STGP)

STGP, such as cadence or step lenght measured in a clinical gait analysis by a pressure measuring plate.

Time frame
At baseline and 4 weeks later after intervention
2

6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

The 6MWT is a simple functional exercise test used to assess a person's walking capacity and endurance. It measures the distance a patient can walk in six minutes on a flat surface and reflects their submaximal level of functional capacity.

Time frame
At baseline and 4 weeks later after intervention

Secondary outcomes

1

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)

Biomarker measured in the serum, which is an indicator of the amount of neuroplasticity in the central nervous system.

Time frame
At baseline and 4 weeks later after intervention
2

Routine Laboratory Parameter

Routine laboratory parameter, such as inflammatory markers measured in the serum.

Time frame
At baseline and 4 weeks later after intervention
3

Berg Balance Scale

Assessment for evaluation of balance and risk of falls.

Time frame
At baseline and 4 weeks later after intervention
4

Functional Ambulation Category (FAC)

FAC is a clinical scale used to assess a patient's walking ability and level of assistance required for ambulation.

Time frame
At baseline and 4 weeks later after intervention

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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