A Wearable Resistive Robot Facilitates Locomotor Adaptations during Gait

Restor Neurol Neurosci, 2018 · DOI: 10.3233/RNN-170782 · Published: January 1, 2018

Assistive Technology Neurorehabilitation Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the use of a wearable robotic knee brace to provide resistance during treadmill walking for stroke survivors. The brace uses a magnetic brake to generate resistive torques, offering a low-cost and portable alternative to traditional robotic rehabilitation devices. The researchers examined how this resisted walking affected muscle activity, joint movement, and walking speed in stroke patients. The participants walked on a treadmill with the brace for 20 minutes while performing a task to improve their walking pattern. The results showed that using the resistive brace led to increased muscle activity in the legs, improved hip and knee movement, and faster walking speed after the training. This suggests the brace could be a useful tool for stroke rehabilitation to improve walking ability.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

6 chronic stroke survivors

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Robotic-resisted treadmill training resulted in a significant increase in quadriceps and hamstring EMG activity during walking.
2
Significant aftereffects (i.e., improved joint excursions) were also observed on the hip and knee kinematics, which persisted for several steps after training.
3
Training resulted in significant improvements in overground gait velocity. These results were consistent in all the subjects tested.

Research Summary

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 walking. The results of this study indicate that robotic-resisted treadmill walking significantly increased the EMG activity of several of the key gait muscles during walking. In summary, this study tested the immediate effects of robotic-resisted treadmill walking using a wearable knee brace on gait function in individuals with stroke.

Practical Implications

Portable and Affordable Rehabilitation

The wearable robotic knee brace offers a low-cost and portable alternative to traditional robotic rehabilitation devices, making it more accessible for in-home or community-based rehabilitation programs.

Improved Gait Function Post-Stroke

The study demonstrates that resisted treadmill walking with the brace can lead to significant improvements in muscle activation, joint kinematics, and overground gait velocity in stroke survivors.

Customizable Training

The device can be customized to target specific muscle groups and adjust resistance levels, allowing for personalized gait training based on individual patient needs and deficits.

Study Limitations

1
The low sample size is a key limitation of this study.
2
Another limitation is that we only chose moderate-to-high functioning individuals, which limits the generalizability to individuals with more severe impairments.
3
Finally, the therapeutic benefits of this device are not currently known, as this study was not designed to study the cumulative effects of training with the device.

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