Robot-Assisted Gait Training for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

In the last decade, robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) has become an increasingly used therapy option for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Training a physiological gait pattern with a high number of repetitions reflects recent approaches in neurorehabilitation, in which dose-dependency, task-specificity, and high patient engagement are the crucial factors for better gait outcomes. Different approaches of RAGT offer an attractive therapy option to achieve functional mobility, as it can (and should) be combined with patient rewarding strategies like exergames. RAGT, however, needs not only expensive devices but also a well-trained therapy team and careful patient selection. The clinical implementation of RAGT requires a high level of multidisciplinary organization in rehabilitation institutions. As for any other therapy, RAGT has indications and contraindications. Research is growing; however, findings from research on RAGT have not provided conclusive proof that this is an effective therapy option. Besides needed larger sample sizes and the methodological problems associated with RAGT studies, another major challenge for research is to keep up with the fast developing technology in the field of rehabilitation robotics.