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ATLAS2030 Pediatric Gait Exoskeleton: Changes on Range of Motion, Strength and Spasticity in Children With Cerebral
Elena Delgado1, Carlos Cumplido1, Jaime Ramos1
1Centre for Automation and Robotics, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC-UPM), Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Robot-assisted gait training with the ATLAS2030 exoskeleton improved range of motion, strength, and reduced spasticity in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Further research is needed to confirm these findings in larger patient groups.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a common childhood motor disability impacting mobility and social participation.
- The ATLAS2030 exoskeleton offers gait rehabilitation for children with neurological/neuromuscular conditions.
- CP affects motor skills, movement, posture, leading to activity limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess changes in Range of Motion (ROM), muscle strength, and spasticity in children with CP.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the ATLAS2030 gait exoskeleton in pediatric CP patients.
- To determine the impact of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) on functional outcomes in CP.
Main Methods:
- Three children with CP (mean age 8.0 ± 2.0; GMFCS III/IV) underwent one month of RAGT using the ATLAS2030 exoskeleton.
- Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) involved sessions averaging 54.7 ± 10.4 minutes.
- Measurements included ROM, muscle strength, and spasticity before and after the intervention.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in muscle strength across all assessed groups.
- Limited ROM in hip/knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion decreased post-intervention.
- Spasticity levels were reduced following the RAGT sessions with the ATLAS2030 exoskeleton.
Conclusions:
- RAGT with the ATLAS2030 exoskeleton shows promise for improving ROM, strength, and spasticity in children with CP.
- The study suggests positive outcomes for gait rehabilitation in pediatric CP.
- Larger sample size studies are recommended to validate these preliminary findings.
Abstract:
Background: Cerebral Palsy (CP), the most common motor disability in childhood, affects individual's motor skills, movement and posture. This results in limited activity and a low social participation. The ATLAS2030 exoskeleton is a pediatric device that enables gait rehabilitation for children with neurological or neuromuscular pathologies with gait pathology. Purpose: To study changes in relation to range of motion (ROM), strength and spasticity in children with CP after using the ATLAS2030 gait exoskeleton. Methods and Participants: Three children (mean age 8.0 ± 2.0), two girls and one boy, two of them with GMFCS IV and one with GMFCS III, received robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) with ATLAS2030 for one month. Results: The average time of exoskeleton use was 54.7 ± 10.4 min in all sessions, and all participants were able to perform all exercises. The strength of all muscle groups was increased after the 10 sessions for the participants assessed and the limited ROM in the sagittal plane (hip and knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion) decreased after the use of the exoskeleton compared to the initial state. Spasticity was reduced at the end of the sessions after the use of the exoskeleton compared to their initial state. Conclusion: The ROM, spasticity and strength were improved after RAGT with ATLAS2030 exoskeleton in these children with CP. However, further studies with larger samples should be carried out to confirm our findings.
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