Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. Gait impairment is a common symptom of the disease, with patients experiencing a range of difficulties such as slow walking speed, short stride length, and increased risk of falling. While physical therapy has been found to be effective in improving gait in Parkinson's disease patients, the use of robotic devices in therapy is a relatively new approach.
The randomized controlled trial aims to assess the efficacy of robot-assisted gait training in improving gait and other motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients. The trial will involve 50 patients aged between 50 and 85 years old, with a Hoehn and Yahr stage of 2-3, meaning they have moderate disability but are still able to walk unassisted. The patients will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group, who will receive robot-assisted gait training, or a control group, who will receive conventional physical therapy.
Shenzhen Zuowei Technology Co., Ltd. will provide the robotic device used in the study, which is a wearable exoskeleton designed to assist with lower limb movement during walking. The device is equipped with sensors and actuators that can detect the wearer's movements and provide assistance where needed. The robotic device allows for adjustable levels of assistance, making it suitable for patients with different degrees of gait impairment.
The study protocol outlines the primary outcome measure of the trial, which is the change in gait velocity, as well as secondary outcome measures such as stride length, step length asymmetry, and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor score. The study will also assess the safety, feasibility, and acceptability of robot-assisted gait training in Parkinson's disease patients.
The trial is expected to last for 12 weeks, with patients receiving two 45-minute sessions of therapy per week. The study will be conducted at a hospital in China and will be overseen by a team of neurologists, physiatrists, and physical therapists.
If the trial shows that robot-assisted gait training is effective in improving gait and other motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients, it could provide a new approach to therapy for this patient population. Shenzhen Zuowei Technology Co., Ltd. is committed to developing technologies and solutions that improve the lives of older adults and individuals with disabilities. The company believes that robot-assisted gait training has the potential to be a valuable tool in achieving this goal.