Health Service Support Center, of the Department of Health Service Support (HSS), successfully designed and created Thailand’s first robotic-assisted gait training, or a robot which assists in the recovery of children with cerebral palsy, limbs weakness, and movement disabilities. This robot helps children with cerebral palsy and patients with a spinal cord injury to better balance their bodies while standing and improve their mobility. In addition, the robot can help train patients with neurological diseases—such as stroke and spinal cord injury—and children with cerebral palsy to have an accelerated recovery than when they receive only physical therapy.

          The features of this robot include a footrest and devices supporting body weight while the patient is walking, using forces generated from its motor instead of forces from the patient’s stepping to support forward movements. The use of robotic-assisted gait training must be supervised and evaluated by a physiotherapist. The robot creates a sequence of repeated elliptical movements which help to build muscle strength. To use this robot, a patient has to be inside and focus on leg movement and muscle control. This helps patients become more confident with walking and using both legs to make natural walking steps.