A critical appraisal of “Stride management assist exoskeleton vs functional gait training in stroke”

Abstract

This paper was written to apply the learned process of critically appraising a research study, an important skill needed as a physical therapist when determining effectiveness of interventions and its use in clinical practice. A clinical question of interest was formulated and a study was selected through the use of several online databases including PubMed and Physiotherapy Evidence Database to answer the question. The study “Stride management assist exoskeleton vs functional gait training in stroke” was critically appraised through careful examination of the strengths and weaknesses of the paper’s Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion. Although there were weaknesses found in each section, the strengths of this study outweigh the weaknesses. In conclusion, “Stride management assist exoskeleton vs functional gait training in stroke” is a high quality paper that provides evidence in favor of using exoskeletons to improve clinical gait outcome measures and corticomotor excitability in chronic stroke patients.