Immediate Biomechanical Effects of Providing Adaptive Assistance with an Ankle Exoskeleton in Individuals after Stroke

Jesus De Miguel-Fernandez, Camille Pescatore, Alba Mesa-Garrido, Cindy Rikhof, Erik Prinsen, Josep M. Font-Llagunes, Joan Lobo-Prat

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Recent studies on ankle exoskeletons have shown the feasibility of this technology for post-stroke gait rehabilitation. The main contribution of the present work is a comprehensive experimental analysis and protocol that focused on evaluating a wide range of biomechanical, usability and users' perception metrics under three different walking conditions: without exoskeleton, with an ankle exoskeleton unpowered, and with an ankle exoskeleton powered. To carry out this study, we developed the ABLE-S exoskeleton that can provide time-Adapted ankle plantarflexion and dorsiflexion assistance. Tests with five participants with chronic stroke showed that walking with the ABLE-S exoskeleton significantly corrected foot drop by 25 % while reducing hip compensatory movements by 21 %. Furthermore, asymmetrical spatial gait patterns were significantly reduced by 51 % together with a significant increase in the average foot tilting angle at heel strike by 349 %. The total time to don, doff and set-up the device was of 7.86 ± 2.90 minutes. Finally, 80 % of the participants indicated that they were satisfied with their walking performance while wearing the exoskeleton, and 60 % would use the device for community ambulation. The results of this study add to the existing body of evidence supporting that ankle exoskeletons can improve gait biomechanics for post-stroke individuals.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBioRob 2022 - 9th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics
PublisherIEEE
ISBN (Electronic)9781665458498
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Event9th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference for Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, BioRob 2022 - Seoul, Korea, Republic of, Seoul, Korea, Republic of
Duration: 21 Aug 202224 Aug 2022
Conference number: 9

Publication series

NameProceedings of the IEEE RAS and EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics
Volume2022-August
ISSN (Print)2155-1774

Conference

Conference9th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference for Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, BioRob 2022
Abbreviated titleBioRob 2022
Country/TerritoryKorea, Republic of
CitySeoul
Period21/08/2224/08/22

Keywords

  • n/a OA procedure

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