Stroke Rehabilitation With Exoskeleton-assisted Gait.

Gait recovery is one of the main goals of post-stroke rehabilitation where robotic-assisted practice has shown positive outcomes. However, literature lacks of clinical studies on exoskeleton-supported gait rehabilitation. Recently, a wearable exoskeleton (Ekso™, EksoBionics, USA) has been commercialized for re-enabling patients to stand and walk, involving them directly in steps trigger through body weight balance. The main aim of this study is to assess the clinical and neuromuscular effects of exoskeleton-based gait rehabilitation in sub-acute and chronic stroke patients, compared to patients with similar characteristics who will conduct a traditional over-ground gait training. In this multicentric RCT, 162 stroke patients will be enrolled and randomly assigned to the Experimental Group (EG) or to the Control Group (CG). Patients will conduct at least 12 one-hour-sessions (about 3 times/ week) of Ekso™ (EG) or traditional over-ground (CG) gait rehabilitation. Clinical evaluations (lower limb Modified Ashworth Scale- MAS; Motricity Index - MI; Trunk Control Test - TCT; Functional Ambulation Classification - FAC; 10-meter walking test - 10mwt; 6-minute walking test - 6mwt; Walking Handicap Scale - WHS; Time Up and Go - TUG) will be administered to patients at the beginning (T1) and at the end (T2) of the training period. The primary outcome is the distance performed during the 6mwt. A follow up study at 1 month (T3) and at 3 months (T4) after T2 will be conducted.