Many patients suffering from stroke, orthopaedic fractures and neurological conditions require extensive rehabilitation to enable them to return home safely. Difficulty with walking is one of the most common problems encountered by these patients and gait reeducation is one of the major goals of rehabilitation. In recent years electromechanical devices and treadmill training have been used to help patients regain walking during the rehabilitation process.These devices allow people to practice walking for longer periods and perform a higher number of steps. Research has generally shown that they have positive results, however their benefit compared to normal overground gait training with a therapist is still unclear.
The Andago ® is the newest model of gait trainer. It differs from other systems as it allows people to walk overground and from room to room which is not possible with other models such as a treadmill. Additionally it eliminates the physical effort required of therapists and potentially reduces the fear of falling experienced by patients. The Royal Hospital Donnybrook is the first clinical setting in the Republic of Ireland to acquire this system. To date there is very little evidence to guide its clinical use.The purpose of this project is to compare different measures of walking such as speed and distance when using the Andago ® and when walking overground in a group of patients undergoing rehabilitation. A secondary aim is to investigate whether the Andago ® allows patients to take more steps and practice more than normal walking therapy.
