Article

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of robot-assisted rehabilitation devices
developed for actuation of the ankle-foot complex and their ability to influence
the attributes of normal gait in patients with spinal cord injury. Methods: A search was conducted in MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, National Academic Research and
Collaborations Information System, and Physiotherapy Evidence Data-base
(1985-2011), using, "ankle", "foot", "robotics", "orthotics" and "spinal cord
injury" as most relevant keywords. Article inclusion was performed in 3 stages;
at the level of: (i) title, (ii) abstract and (iii) full text. RESULTS: The
actuated ankle-foot orthoses currently available are characterized by several
combinations of an actuator and a control mechanism. Both the actuator and the
control strategy substantially influence human-machine interaction and therefore
the potential of the device to assist in modifying locomotor function and
potentially modify the underlying motor control mechanisms. CONCLUSION: Due to
small sample sizes, limited studies in patients with spinal cord injury, and
limitations in study design, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions on the
effect of different types of actuated ankle-foot orthoses. Based on the limited
data available, pneumatic artificial muscles in combination with proportional
myoelectric control are suggested to have the potential to meet most of the
preconditions to restore the attributes of normal gait and therefore facilitate neuroplasticity.

Langue : ANGLAIS