Feasibility of cardiopulmonary exercise testing and training using a robotics-assisted tilt table in dependent-ambulatory stroke patients

Seems likely only the most fully equipped  stroke hospitals would have this. Just in case you think you might want this.
http://search.naric.com/research/rehab/redesign_record.cfm?search=2&type=all&criteria=J72750&phrase=no&rec=129624
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation , Volume 12(88)

NARIC Accession Number: J72750.  What's this?
ISSN: 1743-0003.
Author(s): Saengsuwan, Jittima; Huber, Celine; Schreiber, Jonathan; Schuster-Amft, Corina; Nef, Tobias; Hunt, Kenneth J..
Publication Year: 2015.
Number of Pages: 10.
Abstract: Study evaluated the feasibility of an augmented robotics-assisted tilt table (RATT) for incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and exercise training in dependent-ambulatory stroke patients. The RATT is a device used clinically for early rehabilitation in severely impaired and bedridden neurological patients. It tilts the patient upright, provides support with a body harness, promotes weight bearing on the feet and moves the legs in a cyclic stepping movement. Eight stroke patients underwent familiarization, an incremental exercise test (IET) and a constant load test (CLT) on separate days. For each test, a RATT augmented with force sensors in the thigh cuffs, a work rate estimation algorithm, and real-time visual feedback to guide the exercise work rate was used. Outcome measures for IETs were peak oxygen uptake, peak heart rate, and peak work rate. Outcome measures for CLTs were mean steady-state oxygen consumption and heart rate. Ratings of perceived exertion were recorded every 3 minutes during the tests. Feasibility assessment considered technical feasibility, patient tolerability, and cardiopulmonary responsiveness. All 8 patients reached their limit of functional capacity in terms of either their cardiopulmonary or neuromuscular performance. Incremental CPET provided sufficient information to satisfy the responsiveness criteria and identification of key outcomes in all 8 patients. Based on the findings, the augmented RATT is deemed feasible for incremental CPET and exercise training in dependent-ambulatory stroke patients. The approach was found to be technically implementable, acceptable to the patients, and it showed substantial cardiopulmonary responsiveness.
Descriptor Terms: CARDIOPULMONARY FUNCTION, EVALUATION TECHNIQUES, EXERCISE, FEASIBILITY STUDIES, MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, PHYSIOLOGY, ROBOTICS, STROKE, TESTS.

Can this document be ordered through NARIC's document delivery service*?: Y.
Get this Document: http://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-015-0078-5.

Citation: Saengsuwan, Jittima, Huber, Celine, Schreiber, Jonathan, Schuster-Amft, Corina, Nef, Tobias, Hunt, Kenneth J.. (2015). Feasibility of cardiopulmonary exercise testing and training using a robotics-assisted tilt table in dependent-ambulatory stroke patients. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 12(88) Retrieved 3/10/2016, from REHABDATA database.