Quantitative measures with WREX usage

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Assistive Technology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Neuromuscular disabilities often impair upper extremity function, limiting daily activities.
• The Wilmington Robotic EXoskeleton (WREX) is a passive anti-gravity orthosis designed to aid arm movement in three dimensions.
• Evaluating the real-world benefits and user experience of assistive devices is crucial for their adoption and effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the functional benefits and user satisfaction of the Wilmington Robotic EXoskeleton (WREX).
• To quantify improvements in upper extremity performance and satisfaction for individuals using the WREX.
• To gather subjective user impressions regarding the WREX device.

Main Methods:

• Two surveys were conducted: an online user survey with 55 patients and a phone interview survey using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) with 25 families.
• The online survey included 10 questions on upper extremity function with and without the WREX and subjective device impressions.
• The COPM survey assessed changes in performance and satisfaction scores for daily activities with and without the WREX.

Main Results:

• Twenty-four out of 25 families reported increased performance and satisfaction when their child used the WREX.
• A statistically significant improvement in arm function for everyday tasks was observed with WREX use.
• Mean performance score increased by 3.61 points and mean satisfaction score by 4.44 points.

Conclusions:

• The WREX demonstrates significant efficacy in enhancing upper extremity function and user satisfaction for individuals with neuromuscular disabilities.
• The device facilitates improved performance in daily activities, empowering users with greater independence.
• The findings support the WREX as a valuable assistive tool for improving quality of life.