The effect of robot-assisted gait training on physical activity outcomes in people with spinal cord injury: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: to summarise the evidence for changes in physical activity outcomes during robot-assisted gait training in patients with spinal cord injury.

Data sources: the Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Central, Medline, Scopus and SportDiscus databases were searched in August 2025 for studies that recorded ≥1 physical activity outcome during robot-assisted gait training.

Review methods: data were synthesised according to the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis guidelines. Risk of bias was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale or the Revised Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-Randomised Studies. Certainty of evidence was established following the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations framework. The report followed the Preferring Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Results: thirty studies (638 participants) were eligible for inclusion. Quality of the randomised studies ranged from ‘Fair’ to ‘Good’, while there was high risk of bias for all non-randomised studies in ≥1 domain. Robot-assisted gait training significantly improved physical activity outcomes (up time, walk time, walk distance, walk speed and number of steps) over time, though these findings were constrained by very low certainty of evidence.

Conclusion: up time, walk time, walk distance, walk speed, and number of steps were significantly improved across the robot-assisted gait training period for patients with spinal cord injury. Robot-assisted gait training during rehabilitation for people following spinal cord injury is a useful adjunct to support independence and improved walking ability.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for James Faulkner: orcid.org/0000-0002-3704-6737

Catalogue record

Export record

Altmetrics