earticle

영어

This study aimed to investigate the effects of LOKOMAT robotic gait training on motor function, balance, activities of daily living (ADL), and gait ability according to cognitive function levels. Participants were divided into two groups based on mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores: a dementia group (MMSE≤23) and a non-dementia group (MMSE≥24). A total of 99 patients with neurological disorders participated in this study. All participants received LOKOMAT gait training three times per week for four weeks. Outcome measures included the fugl-meyer assessment (FMA), berg balance scale (BBS), modified ashworth scale (MAS), modified barthel index (MBI), trunk impairment scale (TIS), timed up and go test (TUG), and 10-meter walking test (10MWT). Paired t-tests were used to assess pre-and post-intervention changes within each group, and independent t-tests and ANCOVA were used to analyze differences between the groups. The significance level was set at p<.05. There were no significant within-group differences in FMA, MAS, MBI, or 10MWT scores after the intervention. However, significant between-group differences were found in FMA, BBS, TIS, and TUG change scores, with the non-dementia group showing greater improvements in balance and gait-related outcomes, while the dementia group showed a relatively greater improvement in motor function. No significant differences were observed in MAS, MBI, or 10MWT between or within groups. The results suggest that LOKOMAT training may be effective for improving motor and balance function in patients with varying levels of cognitive function. While patients with dementia demonstrated functional improvements, cognitive ability appears to influence the extent of response to robotic gait training, particularly in tasks requiring complex coordination and postural control. Future research should involve larger samples, longer intervention durations, and multi-domain cognitive assessments to validate and expand these findings.