Functional Mobility Outcomes Following End-Effector Robotic-Assisted Gait Training in Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Single-Cohort Pilot Study

@article{hartman2026functional,
  title = {{Functional Mobility Outcomes Following End-Effector Robotic-Assisted Gait Training in Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Single-Cohort Pilot Study}},
  author = {Hartman J and Benda L and Costantine J and Fant S},
  journal = {Medical Devices: Evidence and Research},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  url = {https://www.dovepress.com/functional-mobility-outcomes-following-end-effector-robotic-assisted-g-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-MDER},
  note = {CC BY},
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Functional Mobility Outcomes Following End-Effector Robotic-Assisted Gait Training in Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Single-Cohort Pilot Study
AU  - Hartman J
AU  - Benda L
AU  - Costantine J
AU  - Fant S
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/08
JO  - Medical Devices: Evidence and Research
UR  - https://www.dovepress.com/functional-mobility-outcomes-following-end-effector-robotic-assisted-g-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-MDER
AB  - Julie Hartman,1 Luke Benda,1 John Costantine,2 Shaun Fant3 1Healing Innovations, Inc., Nashville, TN, USA; 2Post Acute Services, HCA Healthcare, Nashville, TN, USA; 3Methodist Hospital, San Antonio, TX, USACorrespondence: Julie Hartman, Healing Innovations, Inc., Nashville, TN, USA, Tel +1 615 965-5020 ext 704, Email [email protected]: Robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) offers a technology-driven approach to support intensive rehabilitation and recovery following disabling stroke. This study evaluates clinical feasibility, safety surveillance, and descriptive within-stay functional changes in an inpatient cohort receiving the Rise&Walk® (end-effector RAGT [E-RAGT] device, donated by the manufacturer, Healing Innovations, Inc.) alongside standard physical therapy.Patients and Methods: In this single-cohort, retrospective pilot feasibility study, consecutive adult patients admitted for inpatient stroke rehabilitation underwent E-RAGT sessions using the study device. Outcomes included individual Section GG mobility items and balance and gait measures, including the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and 10-meter walk test (10MWT), collected in a subset of patients.Results: Thirteen consecutive adult stroke patients (median age 66 years; 9 [69%] male) completed an average of 4.2 sessions (range 2– 8). Baseline Section GG scores reflected functional dependence, and all patients required assistance or supervision. Improvements were observed across all Section GG mobility items, with larger gains in walking tasks than stair negotiation. Balance (BBS) and gait speed (10MWT) measures were available for a subset of five patients, all demonstrating descriptive improvements. At discharge, four patients were fully independent across all mobility tasks, while three remained dependent on at least one item, primarily 12-step stair negotiation. Mean length of stay was 16.7 ± 5.2 days. Ten patients were discharged home; three were discharged to a skilled nursing facility with remaining dependence on at least one mobility item. No serious adverse events occurred.Conclusion: In this small, uncontrolled pilot cohort receiving concurrent standard physical therapy, end-effector RAGT with the study device demonstrated feasibility and safety, with within-stay descriptive improvements in mobility, balance, and gait. Controlled trials are required to establish treatment efficacy.Plain Language Summary: After having a stroke, many patients have difficulty walking. Relearning how to walk requires frequent practice and intense physical therapy, which can be physically demanding for rehabilitation staff. Robotic-assisted walking devices may help therapists provide more intensive training. In this small pilot study, we evaluated the feasibility of an end-effector robotic gait training system in 13 adults undergoing inpatient stroke rehabilitation alongside their standard physical therapy. We found that the technology was practical and feasible to use in routine hospital care, with all participants completing their sessions safely without any serious side effects or injuries. Patients showed improvements in walking and mobility during their rehabilitation stay across all assessed tasks, with the largest gains observed in walking activities. Importantly, the robotic device supported high-intensity, repetitive walking practice that is essential for stroke recovery. These preliminary findings show that end-effector robotic gait training is a practical and valuable tool for inpatient rehabilitation, while providing a foundation for the larger controlled trials needed to confirm long-term benefits.Keywords: End-effector robotic-assisted gait training, stroke rehabilitation, gait training, neurological rehabilitation, functional mobility
SN  - 1179-1470
ER  -