Stroke Program

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Stroke Program

The term “stroke” refers to a sudden disturbance of brain function caused by the loss of brain tissue. Approximately 15 million people in the world suffer from stroke every year, of which 5.5 million die, while another 5 million are left with varying degrees of disability.

The most common complaints that result from stroke are as follows:

• Hemiplegia (paralysis on one side)
• Balance problems
• Vision problems
• Speech disorders
• Perception problems

Lokomat Training

To regain walking ability after a stroke is one of the main aims of neurorehabilitation. The ability to walk is often the deciding factor in whether or not a patient must remain at home or can return to work without having to rely on assistance from another person.

Our nervous system has the ability to change its structure and function, an ability known as neuroplasticity. It is known that repetitive exercise encourages such structural and functional changes in the nervous system, which greatly improve the patient’s ability to handle the tasks presented to him or her. As a result, modern neurophysiological concepts of walking focus on repetitive, task-specific exercises. In other words, “if you want to learn to walk, you have to walk.”

Training with the Lokomat system is based on this concept, which enables repetitive training in complex walking cycles to take place as early as possible.

In the early phase of rehabilitation, training should take place every day if possible (depending on the patient’s stamina and the therapy plan). In the later rehabilitation phase, we recommend that the patient train three times a week.

Expected Effects of Lokomat Training on Stroke Patients

• Improved balance
• Better motor control of the lower extremities
• Faster walking
• Greater endurance

Lokomat training is especially beneficial to perform movement such as standing on one leg. Patients who train with the Lokomat system are able to stand on a hemiparetic leg for longer with decrease in body mass as the system helps to hold on the body weight.

Note: At this point, we would like to expressly state that these improvements are not due exclusively to training with the Lokomat system. They must always be regarded as a result of Lokomat training in combination with other physiotherapeutic interventions.