Neuromechanical adaptations during a robotic powered exoskeleton assisted walking session

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics and Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Engineering

Background:

• Exoskeleton technology offers potential for gait assistance in various populations.
• Understanding the biomechanical and neuromuscular effects of exoskeleton use is crucial for optimizing assistive strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate gait parameters and neuromuscular profiles during exoskeleton-assisted walking.
• To compare able-bodied (AB) individuals with and without exoskeleton assistance.
• To assess non-ambulatory spinal cord injury (SCI) individuals using a powered exoskeleton.

Main Methods:

• A single-session study involving four AB and four SCI individuals.
• Utilized a powered lower extremity exoskeleton.
• Collected temporal-spatial parameters, kinematics, walking velocity, and electromyography (EMG) data.

Main Results:

• Able-bodied individuals exhibited increased stance time and reduced walking velocity with the exoskeleton.
• Voluntary assistance by AB individuals improved walking velocity and reduced stance time.
• SCI individuals demonstrated higher stance time, lower walking velocity, and muscle activation in lower limb muscles.

Conclusions:

• Exoskeleton use in AB individuals led to reduced walking velocity and muscle activation, with voluntary control enhancing temporal-spatial responses.
• Both AB and SCI groups showed neuromuscular phasic adaptations with exoskeleton use, differing from non-exoskeleton gait patterns.