Abstract
Background
Low cardiovascular fitness is common poststroke. Conventional subacute stroke rehabilitation
does not meet Australian National Stroke Guidelines for cardiovascular exercise, particularly
in mobility-dependent patients. Walking robotics can potentially achieve recommended
cardiovascular exercise with these patients.
Aim
The primary aim was to determine whether sustained moderate intensity cardiovascular
exercise can be achieved using 3 Lokomat Augmented Performance Feedback activities
in mobility-dependent adults with subacute stroke. Secondary aims were to assess if
cardiovascular workload was influenced by the activity completed, participants motivation
or enjoyment, or changes in Lokomat settings.
Methods
Ten patients with subacute stroke (mean (SD) age: 63.4 (13) years) participated in
6x20-minute Lokomat study sessions. Each study session involved a warm-up and 3x5-minute
APF activities presented in a random order. Metabolic data were collected using the
COSMED-K5. Participants rated their perceived exertion on the BORG CR10 scale and
Lokomat settings of body-weight support, guidance force, and speed were recorded.
Results
Moderate intensity cardiovascular exercise was achieved and maintained over the 15
minutes of exercise, objectively demonstrated by a mean (SD) Metabolic Equivalent
Task of 3.1 (1.3), and mean (SD) oxygen consumption of 8.0 (3.8) ml/kg/min, estimated
as 52% VO2max. This was subjectively confirmed by exertion scores between 3 and 5. The cardiovascular
workload was not affected by which activity was completed, participant motivation
or enjoyment, or significant progression of Lokomat settings between study sessions.
Conclusions
Mobility-dependent patients with subacute stroke can achieve sustained moderate intensity
cardiovascular exercise on the Lokomat when using APF activities.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 31, 2020
Accepted:
February 12,
2020
Received in revised form:
February 6,
2020
Received:
September 9,
2019
Identification
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.104758
Copyright
© 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
