Applicability of Robotic Devices, Virtual and Augmented Reality in the Rehabilitation of People With Stroke During Treadmill Training

During HIT participants perform gait exercises, coordination tasks, balance exercises, posture improvement exercises and muscle strengthening with and without the use of various devices (Dynair cushion, Bosu, Pilates ball, weight ball, dead weight stick, TRX, coordination ladder and obstacles). This includes surface changes and changes of direction during the tasks, manipulation of the speed of the tasks and the use of height stimuli. The difficulty of the tasks is adjusted each time to the improving performance of the participants. The movements used here require a high level of attention and executive functions, as well as rapid cognitive processing speed to visual and auditory signals. The training provides strong neuromuscular stimulation due to the constantly changing sensory environment, such as soft/hard surface tasks, heavy/light tools, slow/fast movement execution, and reflexive/conscious reactions to external stimuli during the task. 5 times/week for 3 weeks, 45 minutes each.

The R-TT group performs high-intensity treadmill training on a conventional treadmill. Before the training begins, the ReStore Soft exoskeleton, which is a special gait assist device, is fitted. The device uses motion sensors to process the movements of the lower limb on the healthy side and uses a motor attached to the waist to map them using bowden cables while walking on the affected paretic side in real time. During therapy, the amount of assistance provided by the exoskeleton can be continuously adjusted to the patient's needs from an external controller, so that therapy can be performed in a specialized manner for the individual. 5 times/week for 3 weeks, 45 minutes each.

The VR\&AR-TT group performs treadmill training on a special treadmill, the C-Mill VR+ device, for which the virtual and augmented reality movement programs are provided by the CueFors 2.5 software, which is the original control software for the C-Mill. The C-Mill VR+ system is a 3 m long and 1 m wide treadmill with a force platform underneath. A 65" fixed-position monitor in front of the treadmill provides the virtual reality environment, and a projector placed next to the treadmill allows various tasks to be projected onto the treadmill belt, providing immediate real-time feedback to the patient and therapist via the force platform. 5 times/week for 3 weeks, 45 minutes each.

Patients in the C-TT group use the ReStore Soft exoskeleton and the C-Mill VR+ system together. 5 times/week for 3 weeks, 45 minutes each.