Wearable Exoskleton gait support and acute change of emg pattern of lower limbs in Upper Motor Neuron Syndrome
Event details
| Date | 08.01.2016 |
| Hour | 11:00 › 12:00 |
| Speaker |
Franco Molteni MD Director Dpt PM&R H.Valduce Villa Beretta Costa Masnaga Italy |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
The recovery of rhythmic alternated/coordinated activation of the muscles of the lower limbs during gait in patients with Upper Motor Neuron Syndrome (UMNS) is a key target of training during rehabilitation. To reach this goal and to try to simulate lower limbs coordinate movements, robotic treadmill training using exoskeleton or end-effector devices have been developed in the past years. The recent diffusion of wearable exoskeletons, allowing an over-ground mobility, has been proven for UMNS patients.
A surface electromyography (sEMG) of muscles rectus femoris, hamstrings, tibialis anterior and soleus of both limbs was collected in two different conditions:
a) walking on ground at self-selected speed in patient’s standard condition and
b) walking with an over-ground wearable exoskeleton (Ekso).
Ekso is a wearable exoskeleton equipped with 4 motors, which allows the patient to stand up, sit and walk on a flat hard surface. Each step is triggered by subject’s transfer load from one leg to the other. The over-ground gait training with this wearable exoskeleton significantly changes the dynamic neuromuscular patterns of the lower limbs in patients with UMNS , facilitating the correct timing of activation of both the affected and the unaffected side. To restore timing of the neuromuscular control is crucial to try to influence neuroplasticity after central nervous system damage and to facilitate the restoration of the control of gait in UMNS patients . Further studies are needed to assess long-term efficacy of this therapeutic procedure
A surface electromyography (sEMG) of muscles rectus femoris, hamstrings, tibialis anterior and soleus of both limbs was collected in two different conditions:
a) walking on ground at self-selected speed in patient’s standard condition and
b) walking with an over-ground wearable exoskeleton (Ekso).
Ekso is a wearable exoskeleton equipped with 4 motors, which allows the patient to stand up, sit and walk on a flat hard surface. Each step is triggered by subject’s transfer load from one leg to the other. The over-ground gait training with this wearable exoskeleton significantly changes the dynamic neuromuscular patterns of the lower limbs in patients with UMNS , facilitating the correct timing of activation of both the affected and the unaffected side. To restore timing of the neuromuscular control is crucial to try to influence neuroplasticity after central nervous system damage and to facilitate the restoration of the control of gait in UMNS patients . Further studies are needed to assess long-term efficacy of this therapeutic procedure
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free
- This event is internal
Organizer
- Prof. Dr. Silvestro Micera
Contact
- Center for Neuroprosthetics