Effect of robot-assisted gait training on quality of life and depression in neurological impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) is often used as a rehabilitation tool for neurological impairments. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of rehabilitation with robotic devices on quality of life and depression. DATA SOURCES: Two electronic databases (MEDLINE and Scopus) were searched for studies from inception up to December 2022. REVIEW METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs were pooled separately for analyses, studying each one's mental and physical health and depression. Random effect meta-analyses were run using standardized mean difference and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: A total of 853 studies were identified from the literature search. 31 studies (17 RCTs and 14 non-RCTs) including 1151 subjects met the inclusion criteria. 31 studies were selected for the systematic review and 27 studies for the meta-analysis. The outcome measure of mental health significantly improved in favor of the RAGT group in RCTs and non-RCTs (adjusted Hedges'g 0.72, 95% CI: 0.34-1.10, adjusted Hedges g = 0.80, 95% CI 0.21-1.39, respectively). We observed a significant effect of RAGT on physical health in RCTs and non-RCTs (adjusted Hedges'g 0.58, 95% CI 0.28, 0.88, adjusted Hedges g = 0.73, 95% CI 0.12, 1.33). After realizing a sensitivity analysis in RCTs, a positive impact on depression is observed (Hedges' g of -0.66, 95% CI -1.08 to -0.24). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that RAGT could improve the quality of life of patients with neurological impairments. A positive impact on depression is also observed in the short term. Further studies are needed to differentiate grounded and overgrounded exoskeletons as well as RCT comparing overground exoskeletons with a control group.

Within-day variability on short and long walking tests in persons with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare within-day variability of short (10 m walking test at usual and fastest speed; 10MWT) and long (2 and 6-minute walking test; 2MWT/6MWT) tests in persons with multiple sclerosis. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: MS rehabilitation and research centers in Europe and US within RIMS (European network for best practice and research in MS rehabilitation). SUBJECTS: Ambulatory persons with MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale 0-6.5). INTERVENTION: Subjects of different centers performed walking tests at 3 time points during a single day. MAIN MEASURES: 10MWT, 2MWT and 6MWT at fastest speed and 10MWT at usual speed. Ninety-five percent limits of agreement were computed using a random effects model with individual pwMS as random effect. Following this model, retest scores are with 95% certainty within these limits of baseline scores. RESULTS: In 102 subjects, within-day variability was constant in absolute units for the 10MWT, 2MWT and 6MWT at fastest speed (+/-0.26, 0.16 and 0.15m/s respectively, corresponding to +/-19.2m and +/-54 m for the 2MWT and 6MWT) independent on the severity of ambulatory dysfunction. This implies a greater relative variability with increasing disability level, often above 20% depending on the applied test. The relative within-day variability of the 10MWT at usual speed was +/-31% independent of ambulatory function. CONCLUSIONS: Absolute values of within-day variability on walking tests at fastest speed were independent of disability level and greater with short compared to long walking tests. Relative within-day variability remained overall constant when measured at usual speed.

Aerobic intensity and pacing pattern during the six-minute walk test in patients with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the aerobic intensity level and pacing pattern during the 6-min walk test (6MWT) in persons with multiple sclerosis, taking into account time of day, fatigue, disability level and multiple sclerosis subtype. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: Eighty multiple sclerosis patients (Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS ≤ 6.5). METHODS: Participants performed the 6MWT at 3 different time-points (morning, noon, afternoon) during 1 day. Heart rate and pacing strategy (distance covered every minute) were registered. A sub-group analysis determined the effects of fatigue, disability level and multiple sclerosis subtype. RESULTS: The relative aerobic intensity was constant throughout the day (67 ± 10% of estimated maximal heart rate). In all sub-groups heart rate increased and distance walked declined after the first minute (p < 0.001). The mild EDSS sub-group showed a slightly larger increase throughout the 6MWT in heart rate development, while no differences were seen in sub-groups of fatigue and multiple sclerosis subtype. In most sub-groups walking speed was fastest in the first minute and constant during the final 4 minutes. CONCLUSION: In patients with multiple sclerosis aerobic intensity is moderate during the 6MWT and unaffected by time of day. Disability may have some influence on aerobic intensity, but not on pacing strategy during the 6MWT, whereas neither fatigue nor multiple sclerosis subtype has any effect.

Which walking capacity tests to use in multiple sclerosis? A multicentre study providing the basis for a core set.

BACKGROUND: Many different walking capacity test formats are being used. It is unclear whether walking speed, obtained from short tests, and walking distance, obtained from long tests, provide different clinical information. OBJECTIVES: To determine the differential effect of various short and long walk test formats on gait velocity, and the actual relationship between walking speed and walking distance in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with diverse ambulation status. METHODS: A cross-sectional multicentre study design was applied. Ambulatory MS patients (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 0-6.5; n = 189) were tested at 11 sites. Short tests consisted of the Timed 25-Foot Walk (static start, fastest speed) and 10-Metre Walk Test (dynamic start, usual and fastest speed). Long tests consisted of the 2- and 6-Minute Walk Tests (fastest speed). Subjects were divided into mild (EDSS 0-4; n = 99) or moderate (EDSS 4.5-6.5; n = 79) disability subgroups. RESULTS: In both subgroups, the start protocol, instructed pace and length of test led to significantly different gait velocities. Fastest walking speed and 6-Minute walking distance showed the strongest correlation (R (2) = 0.78 in mild and R (2) = 0.81 in moderate MS; p < 0.01). Short tests' relative estimation errors for 6-Minute walking distance were 8-12% in mildly and 15-16% in moderately affected subjects. Based on the 2-Minute Walk Test, estimation errors significantly reduced to approximately 5% in both subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: A single short test format at fastest speed accurately describes an MS patient's general walking capacity. For intervention studies, a long test is to be considered. We propose the Timed 25-Foot Walk and 2-Minute Walk Test as standards. Further research on responsiveness is needed.