%0 Journal Article
%T Exercise intensity of robot-assisted walking versus overground walking in nonambulatory stroke patients
%A Michiel P. M. van Nunen
%A MSc
%A Karin H. L. Gerrits
%A PhD
%A Arnold de Haan
%A PhD
%A Thomas W. J. Janssen
%A PhD
%J Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
%D 2013
%I Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs
%R 10.1682/jrrd.2011.12.0252
%X It has been suggested that aerobic training should be considered in stroke rehabilitation programs to counteract detrimental health effects and decrease cardiovascular risk caused by inactivity. Robot-assisted treadmill exercise (using a Lokomat device) has the potential to increase the duration of walking therapy relative to conventional overground therapy. We investigated whether exercise intensity during Lokomat therapy is adequate to elicit a training effect and how assistance during walking in the Lokomat affects this exercise intensity. Ten patients with stroke (age 54 +/¨C 9 yr) walked in both the Lokomat and in a hallway. Furthermore, 10 nondisabled subjects (age 43 +/¨C 14 yr) walked in the Lokomat at various settings and on a treadmill at various speeds. During walking, oxygen consumption and heart rate were monitored. Results showed that for patients with stroke, exercise intensity did not reach recommended levels (30% heart rate reserve) for aerobic training during Lokomat walking. Furthermore, exercise intensity during walking in the Lokomat (9.3 +/¨C 1.6 mL/min/kg) was lower than during overground walking (10.4 +/¨C 1.3 mL/min/kg). Also, different settings of the Lokomat only had small effects on exercise intensity in nondisabled subjects.
%K aerobic training
%K exercise intensity
%K heart rate
%K hemiplegia
%K locomotor training
%K oxygen consumption
%K rehabilitation therapy
%K robot-assisted walking
%K stroke
%K walking
%U http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/2012/4910/pdf/vannunen4910.pdf