Assistive Technology Research
Browse the latest research summaries in the field of assistive technology for spinal cord injury patients and caregivers.
Showing 471-480 of 581 results
The effects of gait training using powered lower limb exoskeleton robot on individuals with complete spinal cord injury
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2018 • February 15, 2018
This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of a newly developed powered lower limb exoskeleton robot for individuals with complete SCI after 8 weeks of gait training. The results demonstrated tha...
KEY FINDING: Participants were able to independently don and doff the powered lower limb exoskeleton robot after 8 weeks of training.
A Wearable Resistive Robot Facilitates Locomotor Adaptations during Gait
Restor Neurol Neurosci, 2018 • January 1, 2018
This study provides preliminary evidence indicating that robotic-resisted treadmill walking using our knee brace can result in meaningful biomechanical aftereffects that translate to overground walkin...
KEY FINDING: Robotic-resisted treadmill training resulted in a significant increase in quadriceps and hamstring EMG activity during walking.
Automatic application of neural stimulation during wheelchair propulsion after SCI enhances recovery of upright sitting from destabilizing events
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2018 • March 2, 2018
This study demonstrates the feasibility of a neural stimulation control system based on simple inertial measurements to improve trunk stability and overall safety of people with spinal cord injuries d...
KEY FINDING: The controller achieved 93% accuracy in detecting collisions and right turns, and 100% accuracy in left turn detection.
Development of VariLeg, an exoskeleton with variable stiffness actuation: first results and user evaluation from the CYBATHLON 2016
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2018 • March 1, 2018
The VariLeg exoskeleton is a powered lower limb exoskeleton with a variable stiffness actuator (VSA) in the knee joint, designed to assist individuals with motor complete spinal cord injuries (SCI) in...
KEY FINDING: The variable stiffness actuation system in the knee joint could be rendered with an error lower than 30 Nm/rad.
Variables influencing wearable sensor outcome estimates in individuals with stroke and incomplete spinal cord injury: a pilot investigation validating two research grade sensors
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2018 • February 19, 2018
This study systematically analyzed the influence of four factors, namely, (i) choice of sensor type ((ActiGraph wG3TX-BT using ActiLife SPA) and Metria-IH1 -Sense-ware fusion based SPA), (ii) sensor l...
KEY FINDING: The sensor type, sensor location, activity characteristics and the population specific condition influences the validity of estimation of physical activity metrics using standard proprietary algorithms.
Reshaping of Gait Coordination by Robotic Intervention in Myelopathy Patients After Surgery
Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2018 • March 2, 2018
This study investigates the effects of HAL therapy on gait coordination in OPLL patients after decompression surgery, dividing patients into acute and chronic groups based on the time elapsed post-sur...
KEY FINDING: HAL therapy improved walking performance (speed and stride length) in both acute and chronic OPLL patients after surgery.
Exoskeleton-assisted gait training to improve gait in individuals with spinal cord injury: a pilot randomized study
Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 2018 • May 1, 2018
This pilot study investigated the feasibility and potential efficacy of exoskeleton-assisted gait training (EGT) compared to conventional physical therapy (CPT) in individuals with incomplete spinal c...
KEY FINDING: The EGT group showed improvement in the 6MWT after training, indicating improved walking endurance.
Use of Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL®) for a postoperative patient with cerebral palsy: a case report
BMC Res Notes, 2018 • March 20, 2018
Hybrid Assistive Limb intervention for postoperative patients with cerebral palsy whose muscle strength decreases can enhance improvement in walking ability. The combination of HAL intervention and su...
KEY FINDING: Walking speed, stride, and cadence were increased after HAL intervention.
Hybrid Assistive Limb Intervention in a Patient with Late Neurological Deterioration after Thoracic Myelopathy Surgery due to Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum
Case Reports in Orthopedics, 2018 • February 8, 2018
This case report describes the improvement in gait function of a 70-year-old patient with a chronic spinal disorder following a gait intervention using the HAL exoskeleton robot. The HAL intervention ...
KEY FINDING: HAL intervention improved gait speed from 0.83 m/s to 0.97 m/s.
Sensitivity of the SCI-FI/AT in Individuals with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2018 • September 1, 2018
SCI-FI/AT CAT item banks detected an increase in function from discharge to 12-months after SCI onset. SCI-FI/AT CAT ES estimates vary by domain and level of lesion. Findings support use of the SCI-FI...
KEY FINDING: For individuals with paraplegia, the Basic Mobility, Self-Care, and Ambulation domains of the SCI-FI/AT detected a significant, large amount of change.