Postural Control Training With Forces Applied on the Trunk and Pelvis Using a Robotic Upright Stand Trainer (RobUST)

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Rehabilitation Robotics
• Neurorehabilitation

Background:

• Coordinated trunk-pelvis movement is essential for upright functional tasks.
• Impaired trunk-pelvis coordination is linked to balance deficits and mobility limitations in neurological and musculoskeletal conditions.
• Establishing effective training strategies is crucial for rehabilitation applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of different robotic assistance strategies for trunk-pelvis coordination training in healthy adults.
• To establish a baseline for future rehabilitation interventions targeting postural control.
• To compare the effects of trunk-only versus concurrent trunk-pelvis robotic assistance.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-four healthy participants were allocated to control, trunk-only robotic assistance (T), or trunk-pelvis robotic assistance (T-P) groups.
• Training involved performing elliptical thorax movements using the Robotic Upright Stand Trainer (RobUST) with assist-as-needed feedback.
• Postural control and movement quality were assessed based on ellipse size, accuracy, and smoothness.

Main Results:

• The T-P group achieved larger ellipse sizes during training, indicating greater range of motion exploration.
• Post-training, ellipse tracing accuracy improved across all groups.
• Movement smoothness significantly improved in the T-P and control groups.
• T-P participants showed higher overall learning metrics despite a longer initial adaptation period.

Conclusions:

• Concurrent trunk-pelvis robotic assistance (T-P) may enhance postural control and movement learning more than trunk-only assistance.
• These findings support the development of T-P coordinated interventions for improving balance and mobility in clinical populations.
• Robotic assistance tailored to trunk-pelvis coordination offers a promising avenue for rehabilitation.