Validation of a Novel Robot-aided Assessment of Gait Ability

The aim of this study is the validation of a novel gait assessment method implemented in the Lokomat gait trainer with respect to established clinical gait assessment methods. The walking assessment method is based on the progressive reduction of the support of the device. The outcome measures of this algorithm will be the support needed in the different gait phases (guidance force of hip and knee joints) and the support required to the body weight support system (unloading). The hypothesis is that the guidance force and the support of the device will converge to a profile individual for each subject that is representative of one's impairment in the different gait phases. The reliability of the method will be tested collecting data from two sessions of Lokomat training. The validity of the method will be tested comparing the outcome of the assessment task with established clinical walking assessment measures.