Evaluation of the effect of robot assisted walking in different modalities on cardiorespiratory responses and energy consumption in patients with subacute stroke

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of robot-assisted walking in different modalities on cardiorespiratory responses and energy consumption in subacute stroke patients. Our study consisted of 16 individuals between the ages of 18-65. In our study, individuals diagnosed by doctor with hemiplegia after unilateral ischemic or haemorrhagic stroke constitute the stroke group. Under these conditions, 8 subacute stroke individuals were included in the experimental group and 8 healthy individuals were included in the control group. Each participant tested on the Lokomat on the second day in three consecutive days in random sequence, with three tests (first test; 100% guiding strength (GF) and 100% body weight support (BWS) second test; 80% GF, 50% BWS third test; 60% GF, 30% BWS) was achieved. In the comparison of the three test results of the two groups separately, the stroke group's oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), tidal volume (VT), pulse reserve (HRR), calories burned per hour (EEh), Borg dyspnea values, control group's VO2, VCO2, minute ventilation (VE), heart rate (HR), heart rate reserve (HRR), calories burned per hour (EEh), Borg values ​​were statistically significantly different. It was seen that the 3rd test results were significantly greater than the 1st and 2nd test results. In conclusion, this study shows that robot-assisted walking can create adequate cardio-metabolic and energy response in both subacute stroke patients and healthy individuals with decreased GF and BWS values.