Effect of Lokomat® Robotic Rehabilitation on Balance, Postural Control, and Functional Independence in Subacute and Chronic Stroke Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Balance, postural control, and functional independence are essential components for the autonomy of people with neurological conditions. Robotic technologies such as the Lokomat<sup>®</sup> have emerged as promising tools in rehabilitation, but their effectiveness when integrated into functional programs requires further evidence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an intensive robotic intervention on these three functional variables. <b>Methods</b>: A single-group, quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study was conducted with 136 participants who received a robotic rehabilitation intervention using the Lokomat<sup>®</sup> device, and focused on functional tasks over several weeks. Balance (using the Berg scale), postural control (using the PASS), and functional independence (using the Barthel index) were assessed, comparing pre- and post-intervention results using parametric and non-parametric tests. <b>Results</b>: The results showed statistically significant improvements in all three variables after the intervention. The mean Berg score increased from 11.76 to 21.91 points (<i>p</i> < 0.001), postural control increased from 15.53 to 21.90 points (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and the Barthel index increased from 24.71 to 41.76 points (<i>p</i> < 0.001). In all cases, the effect sizes were large (d > 0.90). <b>Conclusions</b>: A rehabilitation program including intensive, task-oriented Lokomat<sup>®</sup> training was associated with improvements in balance, postural control, and functional independence. Given the single-group design without a control arm, these findings reflect associations and do not establish causality.

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Publication Details

Journal
Medical Sciences
Published
2025-08-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci13030157
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.03
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article

Effect of Lokomat® Robotic Rehabilitation on Balance, Postural Control, and Functional Independence in Subacute and Chronic Stroke Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Fidel Hita‐Contreras, Agustín Aibar‐Almazán, Yolanda Castellote‐Caballero, Marina Esther Cabrera-Brito et al.
1 citations
Medical Sciences
Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
1.03
article

Effect of Lokomat® Robotic Rehabilitation on Balance, Postural Control, and Functional Independence in Subacute and Chronic Stroke Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Fidel Hita‐Contreras, Agustín Aibar‐Almazán, Yolanda Castellote‐Caballero, Marina Esther Cabrera-Brito, Paulino Vico-Rodríguez, Marta Cano-Orihuela, María del Carmen Carcelén-Fraile
article en
1 citations

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Balance, postural control, and functional independence are essential components for the autonomy of people with neurological conditions. Robotic technologies such as the Lokomat<sup>®</sup> have emerged as promising tools in rehabilitation, but their effectiveness when integrated into functional programs requires further evidence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an intensive robotic intervention on these three functional variables. <b>Methods</b>: A single-group, quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study was conducted with 136 participants who received a robotic rehabilitation intervention using the Lokomat<sup>®</sup> device, and focused on functional tasks over several weeks. Balance (using the Berg scale), postural control (using the PASS), and functional independence (using the Barthel index) were assessed, comparing pre- and post-intervention results using parametric and non-parametric tests. <b>Results</b>: The results showed statistically significant improvements in all three variables after the intervention. The mean Berg score increased from 11.76 to 21.91 points (<i>p</i> < 0.001), postural control increased from 15.53 to 21.90 points (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and the Barthel index increased from 24.71 to 41.76 points (<i>p</i> < 0.001). In all cases, the effect sizes were large (d > 0.90). <b>Conclusions</b>: A rehabilitation program including intensive, task-oriented Lokomat<sup>®</sup> training was associated with improvements in balance, postural control, and functional independence. Given the single-group design without a control arm, these findings reflect associations and do not establish causality.

Medical SciencesVol. 13(3)
Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ES), Universidad de Jaén (ES), Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias (ES)
Openalex Percentile: Top 19%
Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
1.03
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