The feasibility of using exoskeletal-assisted walking with epidural stimulation: a case report study.

ABSTRACT: Spinal cord epidural stimulation (SCES) exhibits a rehabilitation potential of restoring locomotion in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, this is linked to an intensive rehabilitation locomotion approach, which is impractical to apply among a large clinical SCI population. We, hereby, propose a rehabilitation approach of using SCES to enhance motor control during exoskeletal-assisted walking (EAW). After 24 sessions (12 weeks) of EAW swing assistance decreased from 100% to 35% in a person with C7 complete SCI. This was accompanied by 573 unassisted steps (50% of the total number of steps). Electromyographic pattern improved during EAW, reflecting the subject's ability to rhythmically activate paralyzed muscles. Rate perceived exertion increased during EAW with SCES compare

SUBMITTER: Gorgey AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7034511 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature