Effects of Overground Robot-Assisted Gait Training on Stroke-Related Sarcopenia

NCT ID: NCT06910254

Last Updated: 2026-01-14

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

53 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-06-09

Study Completion Date

2025-11-30

Brief Summary

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This single-center randomized controlled trial evaluates the effects of combining overground robot-assisted gait training (o-RAGT) with recumbent cycling (RC) compared with RC alone in patients with subacute stroke at risk of sarcopenia. The study examines changes in muscle characteristics (muscle mass and quality), falls efficacy, and physical function following a 4-week intervention. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either combined o-RAGT and RC or RC alone. The findings aim to inform the potential role of overground robot-assisted gait training as an adjunctive intervention in stroke rehabilitation.

Detailed Description

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This study is a single-center, randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of combining overground robot-assisted gait training (o-RAGT) with recumbent cycling (RC) in patients with subacute stroke at risk of sarcopenia. A total of 53 participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving combined o-RAGT and RC or a control group receiving RC alone.

The intervention was conducted five times per week for 60 minutes per session over a 4-week period. Overground robot-assisted gait training was performed using the Angel Legs M20 exoskeleton, while recumbent cycling was provided as conventional exercise training.

The primary outcomes were changes in skeletal muscle mass index, muscle quality, and falls efficacy. Secondary outcomes included measures of physical performance and functional mobility, such as the Short Physical Performance Battery, 6-Minute Walk Test, Timed Up and Go test, and lower extremity motor function.

This study aims to provide clinical information regarding the feasibility and potential effects of combining overground robot-assisted gait training with conventional exercise in stroke rehabilitation.

Conditions

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Stroke Sarcopenia Muscle Atrophy Mobility Limitation Muscle Quality Robotic Rehabilitation

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

This study is a single-center, randomized controlled trial with a two-arm parallel-group design. A total of 53 participants with subacute stroke-related sarcopenia were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. Both groups received a 4-week intervention consisting of five 60-minute sessions per week.

Participants in the experimental group received 30 minutes of overground robot-assisted gait training (o-RAGT) using the Angel Legs M20 exoskeleton, followed by 30 minutes of recumbent bicycle (RC) training. Participants in the control group received 60 minutes of recumbent bicycle training alone.

Per-protocol analyses were conducted for participants who completed the full intervention and outcome assessments, resulting in a final sample of 41 participants (experimental group, n=19; control group, n=22).
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors
This study employed a single-blind design. Due to the nature of the interventions, participants and therapists delivering the overground robot-assisted gait training and recumbent bicycle training could not be blinded to group allocation.

However, outcome assessors were blinded to group assignments throughout the study. All primary and secondary outcome assessments were performed by assessors who were not involved in the intervention delivery and had no access to the randomization information during data collection.

Study Groups

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o-RAGT + Recumbent Bicycle Training

Participants in the experimental group received a combined intervention consisting of 30 minutes of overground robot-assisted gait training (o-RAGT) followed by 30 minutes of recumbent bicycle (RC) training. The o-RAGT was performed using the Angel Legs M20 wearable exoskeleton. The intervention was conducted five sessions per week for a total of 4 weeks (20 sessions).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Overground Robot-Assisted Gait Training (o-RAGT)

Intervention Type DEVICE

This intervention consists of overground robot-assisted gait training (o-RAGT) performed using the Angel Legs M20 wearable exoskeleton (Angel Robotics, Seoul, Republic of Korea). Participants perform structured overground walking practice with robotic assistance during scheduled training sessions. The device is used to support repetitive, task-specific overground gait practice under supervised clinical conditions.

Recumbent Bicycle Training

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants perform recumbent bicycle training using a stationary recumbent cycle ergometer (DRAX TBR9000, Republic of Korea). Training is conducted in a seated position with lower-extremity pedaling at a prescribed intensity. Each session is performed according to the study protocol under supervised clinical conditions.

Recumbent Bicycle Training Only

Participants in the control group received 60 minutes of recumbent bicycle (RC) training alone to match the total exercise duration of the experimental group. The training was conducted five sessions per week for a total of 4 weeks (20 sessions).

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Recumbent Bicycle Training

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants perform recumbent bicycle training using a stationary recumbent cycle ergometer (DRAX TBR9000, Republic of Korea). Training is conducted in a seated position with lower-extremity pedaling at a prescribed intensity. Each session is performed according to the study protocol under supervised clinical conditions.

Interventions

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Overground Robot-Assisted Gait Training (o-RAGT)

This intervention consists of overground robot-assisted gait training (o-RAGT) performed using the Angel Legs M20 wearable exoskeleton (Angel Robotics, Seoul, Republic of Korea). Participants perform structured overground walking practice with robotic assistance during scheduled training sessions. The device is used to support repetitive, task-specific overground gait practice under supervised clinical conditions.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Recumbent Bicycle Training

Participants perform recumbent bicycle training using a stationary recumbent cycle ergometer (DRAX TBR9000, Republic of Korea). Training is conducted in a seated position with lower-extremity pedaling at a prescribed intensity. Each session is performed according to the study protocol under supervised clinical conditions.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

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Angel Legs M20 wearable exoskeleton Recumbent ergometer

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

Participants must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Diagnosis of stroke within 6 months of onset (subacute phase), corresponding to the active neurological recovery period.
2. Classified as having possible sarcopenia according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS 2019) algorithm, defined by:

* A positive SARC-F screening, and
* Either reduced handgrip strength (men \<28 kg, women \<18 kg) or reduced physical performance (SPPB score \<9).
3. Height between 140 and 190 cm and body weight ≤80 kg, meeting the mechanical fitting requirements of the overground wearable gait robot used in this study.
4. Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) score ≥1, indicating the ability to attempt ambulation with at least minimal assistance.
5. Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K) score ≥24, indicating sufficient cognitive ability to understand instructions and participate in training.
6. Currently admitted for inpatient rehabilitation at a rehabilitation hospital in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
7. Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent after receiving a full explanation of the study procedures, potential risks, and benefits.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants will be excluded if they meet any of the following criteria:

1. Presence of severe cardiovascular disease (e.g., unstable angina, heart failure, recent myocardial infarction) or acute medical infection that contraindicates exercise-based interventions.
2. Musculoskeletal conditions that preclude safe participation in robotic gait training or recumbent cycling, including:

* Lower extremity fractures,
* Severe joint contractures,
* History of lower limb joint replacement,
* Structural deformities of the lower extremities.
3. Severe communication, psychological, or psychiatric disorders (e.g., global aphasia) that impair the ability to follow instructions or complete assessments.
4. Participation in robot-assisted gait training or similar mechanically assisted rehabilitation interventions within the past 6 months prior to enrollment.
Minimum Eligible Age

19 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

80 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Sahmyook University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Dong min park

Principal Investigator, Clinical physical therapist

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Seungwon Lee, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Sahmyook University

Locations

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Sahmyook University

Seoul, , South Korea

Site Status

Countries

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South Korea

References

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Gault ML, Willems ME. Aging, functional capacity and eccentric exercise training. Aging Dis. 2013 Sep 25;4(6):351-63. doi: 10.14336/AD.2013.0400351.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24307968 (View on PubMed)

Iyanaga T, Abe H, Oka T, Miura T, Iwasaki R, Takase M, Isatake M, Doi A. Recumbent cycling with integrated volitional control electrical stimulation improves gait speed during the recovery stage in stroke patients. J Exerc Rehabil. 2019 Feb 25;15(1):95-102. doi: 10.12965/jer.1836500.250. eCollection 2019 Feb.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
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da Rosa Pinheiro DR, Cabeleira MEP, da Campo LA, Correa PS, Blauth AHEG, Cechetti F. Effects of aerobic cycling training on mobility and functionality of acute stroke subjects: A randomized clinical trial. NeuroRehabilitation. 2021;48(1):39-47. doi: 10.3233/NRE-201585.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Gonzalez-Rocha A, Mendez-Sanchez L, Ortiz-Rodriguez MA, Denova-Gutierrez E. Effect Of Exercise on Muscle Mass, Fat Mass, Bone Mass, Muscular Strength and Physical Performance in Community Dwelling Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aging Dis. 2022 Oct 1;13(5):1421-1435. doi: 10.14336/AD.2022.0215. eCollection 2022 Oct 1.

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Shin J, Park E. Comparison between Discrete Multi-Wavelength Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in the Assessment of Muscle Mass for Community-Dwelling Older People. J Clin Med. 2024 Apr 18;13(8):2350. doi: 10.3390/jcm13082350.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 38673621 (View on PubMed)

Menon RG, Raghavan P, Regatte RR. Quantifying muscle glycosaminoglycan levels in patients with post-stroke muscle stiffness using T1rho MRI. Sci Rep. 2019 Oct 10;9(1):14513. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-50715-x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31601831 (View on PubMed)

Chen LK, Liu LK, Woo J, Assantachai P, Auyeung TW, Bahyah KS, Chou MY, Chen LY, Hsu PS, Krairit O, Lee JS, Lee WJ, Lee Y, Liang CK, Limpawattana P, Lin CS, Peng LN, Satake S, Suzuki T, Won CW, Wu CH, Wu SN, Zhang T, Zeng P, Akishita M, Arai H. Sarcopenia in Asia: consensus report of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2014 Feb;15(2):95-101. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2013.11.025.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24461239 (View on PubMed)

Choi AY, Lim JH, Kim BG. Effects of muscle strength exercise on muscle mass and muscle strength in patients with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Exerc Rehabil. 2024 Oct 25;20(5):146-157. doi: 10.12965/jer.2448428.214. eCollection 2024 Oct.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 39502116 (View on PubMed)

Hu MM, Wang S, Wu CQ, Li KP, Geng ZH, Xu GH, Dong L. Efficacy of robot-assisted gait training on lower extremity function in subacute stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2024 Sep 19;21(1):165. doi: 10.1186/s12984-024-01463-1.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 39300491 (View on PubMed)

Calafiore D, Negrini F, Tottoli N, Ferraro F, Ozyemisci-Taskiran O, de Sire A. Efficacy of robotic exoskeleton for gait rehabilitation in patients with subacute stroke : a systematic review. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2022 Feb;58(1):1-8. doi: 10.23736/S1973-9087.21.06846-5. Epub 2021 Jul 12.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34247470 (View on PubMed)

Lorusso M, Tramontano M, Casciello M, Pece A, Smania N, Morone G, Tamburella F. Efficacy of Overground Robotic Gait Training on Balance in Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Brain Sci. 2022 May 31;12(6):713. doi: 10.3390/brainsci12060713.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35741599 (View on PubMed)

Su Y, Yuki M, Otsuki M. Prevalence of stroke-related sarcopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2020 Sep;29(9):105092. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105092. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32807486 (View on PubMed)

Louie DR, Mortenson WB, Durocher M, Teasell R, Yao J, Eng JJ. Exoskeleton for post-stroke recovery of ambulation (ExStRA): study protocol for a mixed-methods study investigating the efficacy and acceptance of an exoskeleton-based physical therapy program during stroke inpatient rehabilitation. BMC Neurol. 2020 Jan 28;20(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s12883-020-1617-7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31992219 (View on PubMed)

Scherbakov N, Doehner W. Sarcopenia in stroke-facts and numbers on muscle loss accounting for disability after stroke. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2011 Mar;2(1):5-8. doi: 10.1007/s13539-011-0024-8. Epub 2011 Mar 25.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 21475676 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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SYU 2025-01-010-004

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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