Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40319228›Full record

Trial reportBMC neurology2025

Effects of exoskeleton rehabilitation robot training on neuroplasticity and lower limb motor function in patients with stroke.

Tao Fan, Peng Zheng, Xue Zhang, Ze Gong, Yu Shi, Mingyang Wei, Jing Zhou, Longlong He, Shilin Li, Qing Zeng and 8 more

Registry-linked trialAbstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07057700 (Investigating the Mechanisms of Welwalk Robot in Restoring Motor Function of the Lower Extremities in Stroke Patients), which is not on this map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT07057700 nanot yet recruitingnot on this map

Investigating the Mechanisms of Welwalk Robot in Restoring Motor Function of the Lower Extremities in Stroke Patients

TypeinterventionalSponsorRuijin HospitalRan2025 to 2027Enrolled38ConditionsStroke, Walking ImpairmentArmswelwalk training, physical therapy
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Trial
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Review
  8. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

18 authors.

Tao Fan *Center of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Peng Zheng *Center of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Xue ZhangCenter of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Ze GongCenter of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Yu ShiCenter of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Mingyang WeiCenter of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Jing ZhouCenter of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Longlong HeCenter of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Shilin LiCenter of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Qing ZengCenter of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Pengcheng LuCenter of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Yijin ZhaoCenter of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Jihua ZouCenter of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Rong ChenCenter of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Zhangqi PengCenter of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Chenyu XuCenter of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China.
Peihua CaoClinical Research Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China. cphcc@smu.edu.cn.
Guozhi HuangCenter of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China. drhuang66@163.com.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 82002380National Natural Science Foundation of China 82072528, 81874032National Natural Science Foundation of China 82472591
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLower limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robot is a new technology to improve the lower limb motor function of stroke patients. Recovery of motor function after stroke is closely related to neuroplasticity in the motor cortex and associated motor areas. However, few studies investigate how rehabilitation robots affect the neuroplasticity of stroke patients.This study sought to determine the effects of lower limb exoskeleton robot walking training on neuroplasticity and lower limb motor function in patients with stroke.

methodsA total of 25 (50.26 ± 11.42 years, 68.0% male) patients(age 18-75 years, onset between 2 weeks and 6 months) with a stable condition after having a stroke were randomized into a treatment (n = 13) and control group (n = 12). Bilateral Exoskeletal Assistive Robot H1 (BEAR-H1) walking training was provided to the treatment group, whereas conventional walking training was provided to the control group. Both groups completed two training sessions per day for 30 min each and were trained 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, Fugl-Meyer Assessment lower extremity, Functional Ambulation Category 6-min walking distance test, intelligent gait analysis, and surface electromyography of the lower limbs were performed before and 4 weeks after treatment.

resultsBoth groups showed obvious improvements in all evaluation indicators (p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the treatment group exhibited a decreased resting motor threshold and increased motor-evoked potential amplitude and recruitment curve slope (p < 0.05). The treatment group performed better than the control group (p < 0.05) in the 6-min walk test and knee flexion co-contraction ratio (CR). Correlation analysis showed that resting motor threshold, motor-evoked potential amplitude, and the recruitment curve slope were significantly correlated with the 6-min walk test, CR on ankle dorsiflexion, the root mean square of the tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, and medial gastrocnemius (p < 0.05).

conclusionWalking training using the bilateral exoskeletal assistive robot H1 improved cerebral cortical excitability in patients with stroke, which facilitated changes in neuroplasticity and enhanced lower limb motor function. REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trail Registry: ChiCTR1900028262. Registered Date: December 16,2019. Registration-URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn.

Indexed as

Exoskeleton DeviceLower ExtremityNeuronal PlasticityRoboticsStrokeStroke RehabilitationAdolescentAdultAgedElectromyographyFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRecovery of FunctionTranscranial Magnetic StimulationLower limb rehabilitation robotMotor functionNeuroplasticityStrokeTranscranial magnetic stimulation

Identifiers

PMID40319228
PMCPMC12049012

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.