Activity-based training with the Myosuit: a safety and feasibility study across diverse gait disorders

Abstract

Background Physical activity is a recommended part of treatment for numerous neurological and neuromuscular disorders. Yet, many individuals with limited mobility are not able to meet the recommended activity levels. Lightweight, wearable robots like the Myosuit promise to facilitate functional ambulation and thereby physical activity. However, there is limited evidence of the safety and feasibility of training with such devices. Methods Twelve participants with diverse motor disorders and the ability to walk for at least 10 m were enrolled in this uncontrolled case series study. The study protocol included five training sessions with a net training time of 45 min each. Primary outcomes were the feasibility of engaging in training with the Myosuit, the occurrence of adverse events, and participant retention. As secondary outcomes, we analyzed the walking speed using the 10-m Walk Test (10MWT) and for three participants, walking endurance using the 2-min Walk Tests. Results Eight out of 12 participants completed the entire study protocol. Three participants withdrew from the study or were excluded for reasons unrelated to the study. One participant withdrew because of an unsafe feeling when walking with the Myosuit. No adverse events occurred during the study period for any of the participants and all scheduled trainings were completed. For five out of the eight participants that completed the full study, the walking speed when using the Myosuit was higher than to their baseline walking speed. Conclusions Activity-based training with the Myosuit appears to be safe, feasible, and well-tolerated by individuals with diverse motor disorders.

Cooperative ankle-exoskeleton control can reduce effort to recover balance after unexpected disturbances during walking

“…Wearable exoskeletons are powerful solutions that can be applied to reinforce and enhance mobility in able-bodied subjects [ 1 , 2 ], or to restore lost functions of people with motor problems, such as those resulting from aging [ 3 , 4 ], neurological disorders as spinal cord injury [ 5 – 7 ], or others [ 8 – 10 ]. Although these robotic devices are reliable in assisting individuals’ locomotion, researchers still struggle to design smart controllers for exoskeletons that also support balance when needed.…”

Movement therapy in advanced heart failure assisted by a lightweight wearable robot: a feasibility pilot study

“…However, in the following sessions an increase of speed and distance was reported for most patients. 18 Robotic-assisted training represents a new, innovative approach in the treatment of heart failure related deconditioning. Previously, the Lokomat® system was tested for gait Figure 3 (A) Ability to perform ADL with and without wearing the Myosuit.…”

Soft Robotic Suits: State of the Art, Core Technologies, and Open Challenges

“…A "transparency" mode of operation allowed the user to turn off the assistance while keeping a slight pre-tension on the tendons. Haufe et al later showed that a revision of the robot -the Myosuit -in transparency mode, does not affect healthy human kinematics [60] and, when active, is a safe and effective tool for training [61], [62].…”

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