Wearable Power-Assist Locomotor for Gait Reconstruction in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury: A Retrospective Study

Frontiers in Neurorobotics, 2022 · DOI: 10.3389/fnbot.2022.775724 · Published: February 18, 2022

Simple Explanation

Wearable robotic exoskeletons (WREs) have been developed to help patients with spinal cord injury walk again. The Wearable Power-Assist Locomotor (WPAL) is a WRE designed to assist with walking and standing, addressing issues like high energy consumption during walking. This study looks back at data collected from 2007 to 2020 to see how well the WPAL improves walking ability in people with spinal cord injuries.

Study Duration

July 2007 to December 2020

Participants

31 patients with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The WPAL improves walking independence in people with a wide range of spinal cord injuries, including cervical spinal cord injuries.
2
Twenty of the patients achieved an FAC score of 4 after an average of 9 WPAL trials.
3
Continuous walking distance and time improved with the WPAL compared to the orthosis.

Research Summary

This retrospective study evaluated the Wearable Power-Assist Locomotor (WPAL) for gait reconstruction in patients with spinal cord injury using data from 2007 to 2020. The study included 31 patients with varying levels of spinal cord injury and assessed their walking performance using the WPAL, focusing on functional ambulation category (FAC) scores, walking distance, and walking time. The results indicated that the WPAL improves walking ability in patients with a wide range of spinal cord injuries, including cervical injuries, and that continuous walking distance and time were improved compared to using an orthosis.

Practical Implications

Improved Mobility

The WPAL can enhance walking independence for individuals with spinal cord injuries, potentially improving their quality of life.

Home Use Potential

Further development of the WPAL could enable long-term use at home, providing increased opportunities for physical activity.

Comparison Tool

The findings provide useful data for comparing gait performance with other robots and for conducting meta-analyses of WRE effects.

Wearable Power-Assist Locomotor for Gait Reconstruction in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury: A Retrospective Study

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Improved Mobility

Home Use Potential

Comparison Tool

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Wearable Power-Assist Locomotor for Gait Reconstruction in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury: A Retrospective Study

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Improved Mobility

Home Use Potential

Comparison Tool

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?