Efficacy of the Regent Suit training during a post-acute stroke rehabilitation process: description of a case report

G Ital Med Lav Ergon. 2011 Jan-Mar;33(1):74-83.
[Article in English, Italian]

Abstract

In Western industrialized Countries, stroke constitutes a major cause of motor disability. According to rehabilitative principles, propríoceptive stimulations appear to positively influence postural control and ambulation recovery. This case report describes the application of the Regent Suit, a rehabilitative device developed by the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, to improve the gait performances of a patient severely affected by stroke, in its post-acute phase. During the in-hospital period, the patient attended to 20 rehabilitation sessions divided into 2 phases: the former based on motor passive/active exercises and the latter based on gait training wearing the Regent Suit. We introduced different outcome measures to investigate motor performances (Berg Balance Scale, 6-min WT, Gait Analysis, ADL restrictions (Barthel Index, FIM scale) and Suit acceptability (Global Perceived Effect). At the end of the rehabilitation process, we found encouraging improvements in all of the parameters investigated, in particular those mostly related to gait abilities. To confirm the collected data, we suggest to start a randomized, controlled trial with a long-term follow-up.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Equipment Design
  • Exercise Therapy / instrumentation*
  • Gait*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life
  • Robotics / instrumentation*
  • Stroke Rehabilitation*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Walking