Stroke survivors derive much more benefit from walking therapy when it's conducted by a physical therapist instead of a robotic device, report researchers at the University of Illinois in Chicago. The researchers suggest that the effectiveness of robotic devices may be best reserved for acute stroke patients who have no ability to walk on their own, while those who can walk independently -- even at very slow speeds -- may be better served by human-assisted therapy.
The research was fundet by The National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research and the Department of Education.
American Heart Association (2008, May 11). Stroke Survivors Walk Better After Human-assisted Rehabilitation. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 13, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/05/080508164414
