Exoskeleton and Spinal Cord Injury
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Hospital, Hospital, Orthopedic |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Orthopedics / Podiatry, Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 70 |
| Updated: | 7/28/2018 |
| Start Date: | July 1, 2018 |
| End Date: | December 30, 2019 |
Exoskeleton Training After Spinal Cord Injury
The purpose of the current study is to investigate the effects of powered exoskeleton (EKSO)
on cardiovascular performance as measured by resting blood pressure and heart rate, peak
oxygen consumption during walking, energy expenditure, whole and regional body composition
assessments. The effects of exoskeleton training on walking kinematics including stand-up
time, walking time, distance covered and speed of walking will also be evaluated.
on cardiovascular performance as measured by resting blood pressure and heart rate, peak
oxygen consumption during walking, energy expenditure, whole and regional body composition
assessments. The effects of exoskeleton training on walking kinematics including stand-up
time, walking time, distance covered and speed of walking will also be evaluated.
Powered exoskeletons using robotic suits have recently been introduced for the rehabilitation
of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Exoskeletons offer a unique opportunity for persons
with SCI to experience standing and walking at a low metabolic cost. Evidence suggested that
exoskeleton assisted walking can decrease spasticity and improve bowel movement. Training may
also improve the level of physical activity as well as psychological parameters that are
likely to interfere with rehabilitation outcomes. Previous studies reported that a frequency
of 2-3 times per week or more for 1-2 hours may be beneficial in the rehabilitation of
persons with SCI. Using exoskeletal-assisted walking to improve the level of physical
activity may be appealing to persons with SCI.
Exoskeleton training for 12 weeks may enhance energy expenditure, parameters of physical
activity and result only on modest effects on both cardiovascular and body composition
parameters. In other words, persons with tetraplegia may have greater cardiovascular and body
composition adaptations compared to persons with paraplegia. Twenty subjects will participate
in a powered exoskeleton (EKSO) for one or twice a week for 12 weeks. The program will
involve walking with the robotic suits for 1 hour for persons with complete (n=10) and
persons with incomplete (n=10) SCI.
of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Exoskeletons offer a unique opportunity for persons
with SCI to experience standing and walking at a low metabolic cost. Evidence suggested that
exoskeleton assisted walking can decrease spasticity and improve bowel movement. Training may
also improve the level of physical activity as well as psychological parameters that are
likely to interfere with rehabilitation outcomes. Previous studies reported that a frequency
of 2-3 times per week or more for 1-2 hours may be beneficial in the rehabilitation of
persons with SCI. Using exoskeletal-assisted walking to improve the level of physical
activity may be appealing to persons with SCI.
Exoskeleton training for 12 weeks may enhance energy expenditure, parameters of physical
activity and result only on modest effects on both cardiovascular and body composition
parameters. In other words, persons with tetraplegia may have greater cardiovascular and body
composition adaptations compared to persons with paraplegia. Twenty subjects will participate
in a powered exoskeleton (EKSO) for one or twice a week for 12 weeks. The program will
involve walking with the robotic suits for 1 hour for persons with complete (n=10) and
persons with incomplete (n=10) SCI.
Inclusion Criteria:
1. A written clearance by the medical doctor .
2. Participants will have to be 1 year post-injury with any level of injury.
3. All participants will be between 18-70 years old, men/women,
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Participants with body weight greater than 220 lbs
2. Whole body T-scores less than -2.5 standard deviation will result in elimination from
the program.
3. Hip width, upper leg length and lower leg length that do not fit in the robotic suit.
4. Previous unhealed fracture in both lower or upper extremities
5. Leg length discrepancy that is unlikely to be managed by having shoe inserts
6. High resting blood pressure greater than 130/80 mmHg
7. Sudden drop in blood pressure by 20 mmHg especially in persons with tetraplegia.
8. Medical conditions prior enrollment similar to cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled
type II diabetes mellitus, uncontrolled hypertension, and those on insulin, pressures
sores stage 2 or greater, or urinary tract infection or symptoms.
9. Pregnancy
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