Evaluating Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters and Subject Daily Mobility in Chronic Stroke Patients after High-Dosage Exoskeleton Training Program
Session Number
B795
Advisor(s)
Arun Jayaraman, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Location
B-125 Tellabs
Start Date
28-4-2016 8:25 AM
End Date
28-4-2016 8:50 AM
Abstract
The “Ekso Bionics” exoskeleton is a powered external orthotic device which provides assistance for lower extremity movement in individuals with neuromuscular disorders. This exoskeleton technology is currently under clinical investigation for its use in mobility training during stroke rehabilitation. In my project, we used the Actigraph wearable sensor and GAITRite Gait tracking system to evaluate changes in daily stepping and walking/gait parameters during and following exoskeleton training in chronic stroke patients (ages 18-85). In tracking of daily mobility of subjects, results demonstrate a significant increase in the number of step counts, cadence (steps per minute), and energy expenditure (kilocalories) during therapy sessions than during non-therapy sessions. GAITRite analysis show changes in spatial (length) asymmetries in Self-Selected Velocity (SSV) and Fast Velocity (FV) trials as well as temporal (time) asymmetries in Fast Velocity trials. They also indicate noticeable trend towards perfect symmetry = 1.00 (Spatial SSV decreased by 0.3863, Spatial FV decreased by 0.4547, Temporal SSV decreased by 0.2277). Overall, the results indicate improvements in subject’s endurance, cardiovascular strength, walking velocity and balance among many other outcomes as a result of the exoskeleton training program. However, the results are considered inconclusive as the study is ongoing.
Evaluating Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters and Subject Daily Mobility in Chronic Stroke Patients after High-Dosage Exoskeleton Training Program
B-125 Tellabs
The “Ekso Bionics” exoskeleton is a powered external orthotic device which provides assistance for lower extremity movement in individuals with neuromuscular disorders. This exoskeleton technology is currently under clinical investigation for its use in mobility training during stroke rehabilitation. In my project, we used the Actigraph wearable sensor and GAITRite Gait tracking system to evaluate changes in daily stepping and walking/gait parameters during and following exoskeleton training in chronic stroke patients (ages 18-85). In tracking of daily mobility of subjects, results demonstrate a significant increase in the number of step counts, cadence (steps per minute), and energy expenditure (kilocalories) during therapy sessions than during non-therapy sessions. GAITRite analysis show changes in spatial (length) asymmetries in Self-Selected Velocity (SSV) and Fast Velocity (FV) trials as well as temporal (time) asymmetries in Fast Velocity trials. They also indicate noticeable trend towards perfect symmetry = 1.00 (Spatial SSV decreased by 0.3863, Spatial FV decreased by 0.4547, Temporal SSV decreased by 0.2277). Overall, the results indicate improvements in subject’s endurance, cardiovascular strength, walking velocity and balance among many other outcomes as a result of the exoskeleton training program. However, the results are considered inconclusive as the study is ongoing.