Post-stroke lower limb rehabilitation: a comparative study between exoskeleton robots and traditional gait training.

Wenzhu Xu, Nai Yeen Gavin Lai, Kok-Hoong Wong, Hamza Azam, Wei Yang

Abstract readComparative StudySystematic Review

In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

1citing papers in PubMed

–field-weighted citation impact

1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

Turns and Turn-Related Falls: Stepping on a Rotating Platform as a Potential Approach to Foster Adapted Muscular and Neural Plasticity in Fragile Persons and Patients with Motor Impairment.Brain sciences · 2026
Article

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Wenzhu XuSevere Rehabilitation Department, Ningbo Rehabilitation Hospital, No. 502, Sangtian Road, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China.

Nai Yeen Gavin LaiDepartment of Mechanical Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, No. 199, Taikang East Road, Ningbo, 315104, Zhejiang, China. Gavin.Lai@nottingham.edu.cn.

Kok-Hoong WongDepartment of Mechanical Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, No. 199, Taikang East Road, Ningbo, 315104, Zhejiang, China.

Hamza AzamNingbo Global Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, No. 5, Xuefu Road, Ningbo, 315100, Zhejiang, China.

Wei YangNingbo Global Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, No. 5, Xuefu Road, Ningbo, 315100, Zhejiang, China. simpleway@zju.edu.cn.

Funding

Key Project at the Hospital Level of Ningbo Rehabilitation Hospital 2024KY02Key Research and Development Project of Ningbo City 2024Z199Key Research and Development Project of Zhejiang Province 2024C0304Ningbo Public Welfare Project 2023S111Ningbo Public Welfare Project 2024S152Science and Technology Project of Yinzhou District 2025AS023Zhejiang Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Project 2026ZL0792Zhejiang Public Welfare Project LMS25E050007

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThis study systematically compares the efficacy of robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) with exoskeletons to traditional gait training (TGT) for lower limb rehabilitation after stroke, focusing on motor recovery, neuroplasticity, and muscle function.

methodsA comprehensive systematic review was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore and Google Scholar for studies published between 2004 and 2024 following the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 86 studies were selected based on strict inclusion criteria, covering moderate to severe stroke patients undergoing RAGT, TGT, or combined interventions. Outcome metrics included gait symmetry, walking speed, neuroplasticity biomarkers (e.g., BDNF, fMRI), and muscle strength indicators. This systematic review was pre-registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD420261333541).

resultsRAGT demonstrated superior improvements in gait symmetry index (+ 99.8% trajectory accuracy), walking speed (+ 20%), and muscle strength via high-intensity, repeatable training. TGT excelled in promoting active participation, cortical engagement, and functional independence, particularly in activities of daily living. Neuroplasticity analysis revealed RAGT enhanced spinal-brainstem rhythmic-ity, while TGT reinforced cortical-cerebellar motor planning. Muscle recovery was accelerated by RAGT through anti-gravitational support, though TGT better preserved natural movement patterns and coordination.

conclusionRAGT and TGT exhibit complementary strengths in stroke rehabilitation. Integrating RAGT's high-intensity, objective training with TGT's adaptive, patient-centered approach represents a promising direction for personalized, AI-enhanced neurorehabilitation strategies.

Indexed as

Exercise TherapyExoskeleton DeviceGait Disorders, NeurologicLower ExtremityRoboticsStroke RehabilitationGaitHumansStrokePhysical therapyRobotic-assisted gait trainingStrokeTraditional gait training

Identifiers

PMID42104373

DOI10.1186/s12984-026-02006-6

PMCPMC13330311

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata

LicenceCC BY-NC-ND

Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.