Development of Bilateral Passive Hip Exoskeleton
Advisor Information
Dr. Mukul Mukherjee
Location
MBSC Ballroom - Poster #404 - U
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
4-3-2022 9:00 AM
End Date
4-3-2022 10:15 AM
Abstract
Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States. When a stroke occurs, typically one side of the body is more affected than the other. Stroke symptoms include reduced muscle tone, strength, and limited lower extremity mobility. These physical deficits require rehabilitation to regain coordination, mobility, and gait symmetry. Those with less functionality are less able to perform such walking-based rehabilitation. Therefore, we developed a passive exoskeleton device that could provide rehabilitation therapy at home. The device uses simple and affordable components such as buckles, straps, braces, and resistance bands making it more accessible for various pathological conditions and rehabilitation centers. As an initial pilot study, we explored the effect of the bilateral passive hip exoskeleton on a healthy volunteer. One healthy young adult wore the exoskeleton device and walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes. Then, the participant walked for another 20 minutes without the device one. We calculated the symmetry index of step length. Our pilot data that the passive exoskeleton could successfully alter the step length symmetry. The altered symmetry dissipated as the user adapted to walking with the assistance and resistance of the exoskeleton. In the future, we plan to gather a larger sample size to look further into the effects of the device on gait adaptation in healthy individuals. We also plan to expand this study by looking at the effect of the passive bilateral hip exoskeleton on stroke survivors.
Scheduling Link
1
Development of Bilateral Passive Hip Exoskeleton
MBSC Ballroom - Poster #404 - U
Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States. When a stroke occurs, typically one side of the body is more affected than the other. Stroke symptoms include reduced muscle tone, strength, and limited lower extremity mobility. These physical deficits require rehabilitation to regain coordination, mobility, and gait symmetry. Those with less functionality are less able to perform such walking-based rehabilitation. Therefore, we developed a passive exoskeleton device that could provide rehabilitation therapy at home. The device uses simple and affordable components such as buckles, straps, braces, and resistance bands making it more accessible for various pathological conditions and rehabilitation centers. As an initial pilot study, we explored the effect of the bilateral passive hip exoskeleton on a healthy volunteer. One healthy young adult wore the exoskeleton device and walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes. Then, the participant walked for another 20 minutes without the device one. We calculated the symmetry index of step length. Our pilot data that the passive exoskeleton could successfully alter the step length symmetry. The altered symmetry dissipated as the user adapted to walking with the assistance and resistance of the exoskeleton. In the future, we plan to gather a larger sample size to look further into the effects of the device on gait adaptation in healthy individuals. We also plan to expand this study by looking at the effect of the passive bilateral hip exoskeleton on stroke survivors.