STELO: A New Modular Robotic Gait Device for Acquired Brain Injury-Exploring Its Usability.

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Neurorehabilitation
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Acquired brain injury (ABI) increasingly causes gait impairment.
• Conventional exoskeletons are rigid, bilateral, and lack patient-specific adaptability.
• A modular, configurable gait-assistive device (STELO) was developed to enhance adaptability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and usability of the STELO modular gait-assistive device prototype.
• To assess the device's impact on individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI).

Main Methods:

• A safety and usability assessment was conducted on 14 participants with ABI.
• Evaluated adverse events, device adjustment time and assistance, and gait performance over three sessions.
• Utilized questionnaires for participant and therapist feedback on comfort and usability.

Main Results:

• STELO demonstrated safety, with no serious adverse events reported.
• Progressive reduction in assistance needs and adjustment time across sessions.
• No significant improvement in walking speed, but high comfort and usability reported.

Conclusions:

• The STELO modular device is a safe and adaptable solution for ABI gait rehabilitation.
• Positive user and therapist feedback highlights the device's potential.
• Further research may explore long-term effects and gait parameter improvements.