Ankle Exoskeleton Assistance Can Improve Over-Ground Walking Economy in Individuals With Cerebral Palsy.

ABSTRACT: Individuals with neuromuscular impairment from conditions like cerebral palsy face reduced quality of life due to diminishing mobility and independence. Lower-limb exoskeletons have potential to aid mobility, yet few studies have investigated their use during over-ground walking - an exercise that may contribute to our understanding of potential benefit in free-living settings. The goal of this study was to determine the potential for adaptive plantar-flexor assistance from an untethered ankle exoskeleton to improve over-ground walking economy and speed. Six individuals with cerebral palsy completed three consecutive daily over-ground training sessions to acclimate to, and tune, assistance. During a final assessment visit, metabolic cost, walking speed, and soleus electromyography were col

SUBMITTER: Orekhov G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7050636 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature