Soft Robotics to Enhance Upper Limb Endurance in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease impacting the central nervous system, causing muscle weakness, spasticity, and fatigue.
• These symptoms can lead to musculoskeletal deterioration, significantly affecting the quality of life and daily activities of individuals with MS.
• Wearable robotic exosuits are emerging as assistive technologies to mitigate functional impairments in neurological disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a novel elbow exosuit in assisting individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).
• To quantify the impact of the exosuit on muscle effort, range of motion, and muscle fatigue during functional tasks.
• To assess the potential of exosuit technology in improving endurance and functional capacity for people with MS.

Main Methods:

• Eight individuals diagnosed with MS participated in the study.
• High-density electromyography (HD-EMG) was employed to measure biceps muscle activity.
• The performance of the elbow exosuit was assessed during both dynamic and isometric tasks.

Main Results:

• The elbow exosuit prototype demonstrated a significant reduction in muscle effort required for task completion.
• A notable increase in elbow range of motion was observed with the use of the exosuit.
• The exosuit effectively delayed the onset of muscle fatigue, thereby enhancing muscular endurance.

Conclusions:

• The developed elbow exosuit is a promising assistive device for individuals with multiple sclerosis.
• Exosuit technology can substantially alleviate muscle exertion and combat fatigue, improving functional capabilities.
• This innovation has the potential to enhance the independence and participation in daily activities for people living with MS.