Walking training after stroke: improvements keeping our feet on the ground

Abstract

Stroke is one of the principal causes of morbidity and mortality in adults in the developed world and the leading cause of disability in all industrialized countries. Rehabilitation's efforts are tended to avoid long-term impairments but the rehabilitative outcomes are still poor in particular on recovery of autonomous walking. Novel tools based on new technologies have been developed to improve walking recovery. A review of recent advances used in gait rehabilitation after stroke is showed in this document. It also examines the possible benefits of new tools used in walking recovery based on motor relearning approach: robotic devices, brain computer interface, non-invasive brain stimulators, neuroprostheses, and virtual reality.