Robotic technologies are becoming more prevalent for treating neurological conditions in clinical settings. We conducted a literature search of original articles to identify all studies that examined the use of robotic devices for restoring walking function in adults with neurological disorders. A search was conducted in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Google Scholar, CINAHL and EBSCO host from 2005 to 2014. Keywords used were gait, locomotor training, multiple sclerosis, neurological disorders, rehabilitation, robotics, spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury and walking. This review analyzed 27 articles that examined the effects of locomotor training with robotic assistance in patients following stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), multiple sclerosis (MS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and Parkinson disease (PD). This review supports that locomotor training with robotic assistance is beneficial for improving walking function in individuals following a stroke and SCI. Gait speed and endurance were not found to be significantly different among patients with motor incomplete SCI after a variety of locomotor training approaches. Limited evidence demonstrates that locomotor training with robotic assistance is beneficial in populations of patients with MS, TBI, or PD. We discuss clinical implications and decision making in the area of gait rehabilitation for neurological dysfunction.

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Stroke is a sudden loss of brain function due to the interruption of its blood flow or the rupture of the blood vessels in the brain. It involves disruption in the motor, somatosensory, visual, speech, perceptual, cognitive, bowel and bladder dysfunctions. It leads to muscle tone alterations, muscle weakness and abnormal movements which consequently limit the ability to perform functional activities including self-care. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Constraint Induced Movement Therapy with Bilateral Arm Training to improve upper limb motor functions in hemiparetic subjects. The CIMT group concentrated on repetitive task practice and adaptive task practice. The BAT group concentrated on the simultaneous movements of both the affected and unaffected upper limb in functional tasks in symmetric or alternating patterns. Thirty stroke survivors of both genders were included in this quasi experimental study with the age ranging 30 to 50 years who were medically stable, able to communicate properly, and diagnosed with ischemic stroke of more than 6 months duration. The outcome measures are Upper extremity Motor Activity Log and Fugyl-Meyer Assessment. The results from this study concluded the effectiveness of six weeks of constraint induced movement therapy could significantly improve the upper limb motor functions and functional activities in hemi paretic stroke patients. Hence the Constraint Induced Movement Therapy program had better therapeutic effect and significantly improves the movement capabilities of hemi paretic patients.