The study of the efficiency of robotic mechanotherapy with the use of an exoskeleton for the lower extremities in patients with multiple sclerosis with impaired walking function

Abstract

Aim. To study the efficiency of robotic mechanotherapy using the exoskeleton ExoAtlet on the functional state of patients with multiple sclerosis with impaired walking function. Materials and methods. This is a prospective, open, single-center study. The study included 53 patients with remitting course in remission and secondary progressive course, who had a neurological deficit level of 3 to 7 on the disability status scale (EDSS). To assess the severity of neurological deficits and functional state, we used the extended EDSS. Also we used the multiple sclerosis functional composite (MSFC) test, including the assessment of walking – Timed 25-Footwalk, the assessment of upper limb functions – 9-HolePegTest (9-HPT), the assessment of mental abilities – Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Additionally, the preservation of cognitive functions was assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA). Results. When assessing the level of disability on the EDSS scale, patients showed a statistically significant (p<0.02) decrease in this indicator by 0.22 points (4%). When studying the degree of impairment of the pyramidal function in patients, there was a decrease in indicator by 0.21 points (7%); p<0.01. The study of the SDMT subtest showed a statistically significant (p<0.02) improvement, the increase in the indicator was 2.3 points (4.3%). When evaluating other MSFC subtests, there was a statistically significant improvement in Timed 25-Footwalk subtest (p<0.001), 9-HPT on dominant (p<0.02) and non-dominant (p<0.02) hands. The improvement in Timed 25-Footwalk subtest score was 3.3 s (18.6%), in the 9-hole test on the dominant hand – 1.7 s (5.6%), on the non-dominant hand – 2.3 s (6.7%). When studying MoCa test, a statistically significant (p<0.001) improvement in cognitive functions after a course of rehabilitation was noted with a high degree of confidence, the improvement was 1.5 points (5.7%). Assessment of affective disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis showed a statistically significant decrease in the level of depression (p<0.02) on the HADS scale by 0.9 points (16.4%), and the level of anxiety (p<0.001) by 1.2 points (21.4%). Conclusion. During the study, data were obtained that showed the efficiency of robotic mechanotherapy using the exoskeleton for the lower extremities as a method of rehabilitation and the prospects for further study of this direction for restoring walking function in patients with MS in the presence of a motor deficit in the lower extremities.