Stroke survivors often have a gait impairment, which includes a hemiparetic or asymmetric walking pattern and reduced ambulatory speed.  Asymmetric gait patterns are correlated with decreased balance and stability, decreased walking speed, and overall ambulatory independence.  Therefore, stroke survivors are more susceptible to serious falls and injuries and being limited by walking ability. We present an innovative device, worn on the patient’s “good” foot, for gait rehabilitation post-stroke that can be used in the patient's own home, with significant clinical improvements in Gait Speed, Timed Up and Go test, Berg Balance test, and the Functional Gait Assessment test. The device generates a backward motion to the foot that exaggerates the existing asymmetry while walking over ground.  This results in a more symmetric and faster walking speed once the device is taken off the foot.  This retained improvement is likely due to experiencing the sensory information of real world walking during the training.  This study presents data from the first home-trial patients who used this device in the home setting.  Nine subjects with chronic stroke, more than one-year post stroke, received training with the device three times per week for four weeks. Each session included 30 minutes of walking over ground with the device. Gait speed and functional walking were assessed before and after training.  Significant improvements between pre- and post-training were found in gait velocity (p<.002), the Timed Up and Go test (p<.05), and the Functional Gait Assessment Test (p<.05).  The device has been well received by participants and their caregivers.  In summary, this study shows that over-ground gait training using the device helps improve stroke patients' daily walking ability.

A Wearable Device That Helps Stroke Survivors To Relearn Functional and Symmetrical Walking