A passive exoskeleton can push your life up: application on multiple sclerosis patients

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurological disease affecting myelin sheaths, leading to significant gait and posture impairments.
• MS impacts mobility, with up to 50% of patients requiring walking aids and 10% using wheelchairs within 15 years.
• Current management strategies aim to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life for MS patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the benefits of a passive, articulated exoskeleton, the "Human Body Posturizer," in multiple sclerosis patients.
• To assess the impact of the exoskeleton on behavioral measures, including mobility, ambulation, and response accuracy.
• To investigate changes in prefrontal cortex activity associated with exoskeleton use in MS patients.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of multiple sclerosis patients was tested using the "Human Body Posturizer" orthosis.
• Behavioral assessments measured improvements in mobility, gait, posture, and response accuracy.
• Electrophysiological measures were employed to monitor changes in brain activity, focusing on the prefrontal cortex.

Main Results:

• A single application of the "Human Body Posturizer" demonstrated significant improvements in mobility and ambulation across all participants.
• Patients showed enhanced response accuracy following the use of the exoskeleton.
• Observed behavioral improvements were correlated with measurable changes in prefrontal cortex activity.

Conclusions:

• The passive exoskeleton "Human Body Posturizer" offers a promising non-invasive intervention for improving functional outcomes in multiple sclerosis.
• The device positively influences motor control and cognitive function, as evidenced by behavioral and neurophysiological changes.
• Further research into exoskeleton-assisted rehabilitation may provide novel therapeutic avenues for neurological disorders like MS.