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
2022 IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters  
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
more » ... 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.
doi:10.1109/lra.2022.3183799 fatcat:dmfrm7lxgzah7cozrbn5bdafl4