Evaluation of a passive pediatric leg exoskeleton during gait.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Children with hemiparesis are commonly prescribed ankle foot orthoses to help improve gait; however, these orthoses often result in only small and variable changes in gait. Research with adult stroke survivors has suggested that orthoses that extend beyond the ankle using long, passive tendon-like structures (i.e. exotendons) can improve walking.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of an exotendon-based exoskeleton on pediatric gait.

Study design

Repeated-measures study.

Methods

Two typically-developing children and two children with hemiparesis completed a gait analysis, walking without and with the exoskeleton. The exotendon was tested at three stiffness levels.

Results

All children were able to walk comfortably with

SUBMITTER: Zistatsis J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8916307 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature