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[Purpose] Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) using Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL, CYBERDYNE) was previously reported beneficial for stroke and spinal cord injury patients. Here, we investigate the immediate effect of a single session of RAGT using HAL on gait function for cerebral palsy (CP) patients. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve patients (average age: 16.2 ± 7.3 years) with CP received a single session of RAGT using HAL. Gait speed, step length, cadence, single-leg support per gait cycle, hip and knee joint angle in stance, and swing phase per gait cycle were assessed before, during, and immediately after HAL intervention. [Results] Compared to baseline values, single-leg support per gait cycle (64.5 ± 15.8% to 69.3 ± 12.1%), hip extension angle in mid-stance (149.2 ± 19.0° to 155.5 ± 20.1°), and knee extension angle in mid-stance (137.6 ± 20.2° to 143.1 ± 19.5°) were significantly increased immediately after intervention. Further, the knee flexion angle in mid-swing was significantly decreased immediately after treatment (112.0 ± 15.5° to 105.2 ± 17.1°). Hip flexion angle in mid-swing also decreased following intervention (137.2 ± 14.6° to 129.7 ± 16.6°), but not significantly. Conversely, gait speed, step length, and cadence were unchanged after intervention. [Conclusion] A single-time RAGT with HAL improved single-leg support per gait cycle and hip and knee joint angle during gait, therapeutically improving gait function in CP patients.

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the safety and immediate effect of a single training session with the Hybrid Assistive Limb (CYBERDYNE) on walking ability in patients with cerebral palsy. [Participants and Methods] This study included 20 patients with cerebral palsy (15 males, 5 females, mean age 15.0 ± 6.3 years; 19 with spastic cerebral palsy, 1 with athetoid cerebral palsy; Gross Motor Function Classification System level I: 4, II: 3, III: 9, and IV: 4). Participants completed a single 20-minute gait training session using the Hybrid Assistive Limb. The safety and immediate effect were evaluated. The immediate outcomes were gait speed and mean step length, and cadence before and after training. [Results] Two participants were excluded because they were not tall enough to use the Hybrid Assistive Limb. Eighteen participants performed the training. There were no serious adverse events during the training. Since 14 participants were able to walk on their own, walking evaluations were performed before and after training. Statistically significant improvements were observed in gait speed and mean step length. [Conclusion] Gait training using the Hybrid Assistive Limb is safe for patients with cerebral palsy and can produce immediate effects on walking ability in ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy.

BackgroundThe Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL®) is an exoskeleton wearable robot suit that assists in voluntary control of knee and hip joint motion. There have been several studies on HAL intervention effects in stroke, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy. However, no study has investigated HAL intervention for patients with cerebral palsy after surgery.Case presentationWe report a case of using HAL in a postoperative patient with cerebral palsy. A 15-year-old boy was diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy Gross Motor Function Classification System level IV, with knee flection contracture, equinus foot, and paralysis of the right upper extremity with adduction contracture. He underwent tendon lengthening of the bilateral hamstrings and Achilles tendons. Although the flexion contractures of the bilateral knees and equinus foot improved, muscle strength decreased after the soft tissue surgery. HAL intervention was performed twice during postoperative months 10 and 11. Walking speed, stride, and cadence were increased after HAL intervention. Post HAL intervention, extension angles of the knee in stance phase and hip in the pre-swing phase were improved. In the gait cycle, the proportion of terminal stance in the stance and swing phase was increased.ConclusionsHybrid Assistive Limb intervention for postoperative patients with cerebral palsy whose muscle strength decreases can enhance improvement in walking ability. Further studies are needed to examine the safety and potential application of HAL in this setting.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3311-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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