Biomechanical differences between able-bodied and spinal cord injured individuals walking in an overground robotic exoskeleton

This study compares how people with and without spinal cord injuries move while using a robotic exoskeleton to walk. The goal was to understand how the device affects their bodies and whether it activates specific movement patterns in the spinal cord. Researchers looked at various aspects of movement, including walking speed, joint angles, and trunk motion, to see if there were differences between the two groups and how they interacted with the exoskeleton. The findings suggest that while there are some differences, the exoskeleton provides similar stimulation to the spinal cord in both groups, potentially offering benefits for rehabilitation.

• 1
  SCI group exhibited reduced step length and cadence compared to able-bodied individuals, leading to slower walking speeds within the exoskeleton.
• 2
  The trunk movement patterns differed significantly between the SCI and able-bodied groups, particularly in the sagittal plane, influencing step length and walking speed.
• 3
  Despite differences in movement strategies, key parameters related to CPG activation (hip extension and lower limb unloading) showed no significant differences between the groups.