The Effects of Robotic Gait Rehabilitation on Psychosomatic Indicators at the People with Different Etiology of Mental Retardation
Abstract
Aim: The aim of study was to find out the effect of robotic gait rehabilitation on psychosomatic indicators at people with different etiology of mental retardation. A stimulation and eventual development of unaffected or preserved abilities of individuals belong among current trends in the case of mental retardation and the treatment to related causal neurological disorders and diseases.
The rehabilitation focused on environmental factors with aim to integrate individual into society is another current trend. For a decision to realize this research study we have been inspired by results of numerous studies, reported, for example, about the results of influence of robotic rehabilitation on psychosomatically health in the case of cerebral palsy.
Material and methods: A total of 65 children in age from 3 to 6 years (42 boys, 23 girls) were observed in the beginning of rehabilitation and then after 6 weeks. Investigated patients were selected into three groups. 21 patients were with cerebral palsy, 21 with teratogenic and 20 with postnatal etiology.
Psychosomatic indicators were monitored. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and Functional Independence Measure were used as a methodological background.
Results: We observed statistically significant positive differences in somatic indicators in the cause of cerebral palsy. In the case of teratogenic etiology was observed, although not statistically significant, but also an evident improvement of somatic indicators.
In the case of all observed groups of patients we can talk about positive improvement in social adaptability. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) were findings again in case of cerebral palsy.
Conclusions: Results of the research indicate that the robotic gait rehabilitation may be usable as a rehabilitative and supportive method also in the treatment to mentally retarded persons. In the case of its use it is appropriate to take into account of the origin etiology of the disorder.
Definitely we can recommend a preference for this method for mentally retarded persons with cerebral palsy after hypoxia.