Browse the latest research summaries in the field of assistive technology for spinal cord injury patients and caregivers.
Showing 361-370 of 581 results
Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2016 • October 1, 2016
This case report introduces a novel alarm system to improve adaptation to non-invasive ventilation (NIV) with a full face mask in a patient with high cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). The alarm syste...
KEY FINDING: A novel alarm system was successfully developed and implemented for a patient with high cervical SCI using NIV with a full face mask.
Global Spine J, 2016 • November 3, 2016
This systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness and safety of powered exoskeletons as assistive and rehabilitation devices for improving locomotion in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI...
KEY FINDING: No studies were found comparing the use of exoskeletons as assistive devices to KAFOs in patients with SCI.
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2015 • August 3, 2015
This study investigated the effects of HAL® exoskeleton-assisted bodyweight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on cortical excitability and walking function in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. The...
KEY FINDING: SCI patients had significantly increased ppSEPs compared to healthy controls at the start of the study, indicating higher cortical excitability.
Medical Devices: Evidence and Research, 2016 • November 29, 2016
Dijkers et al raise concerns about potential duplicate data in a meta-analysis regarding the clinical effectiveness and safety of powered exoskeletons for spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. They highl...
KEY FINDING: The letter identifies potential duplicate patient data in the meta-analysis by Miller et al.
Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, 2015 • January 1, 2015
The study assessed the usability and efficacy of the Indego exoskeleton after five training sessions for individuals with varying levels of spinal cord injury. Results showed that individuals with low...
KEY FINDING: Participants with lower paraplegia (T9-L1) achieved the highest walking speeds and distances, suggesting potential for community ambulation.
Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2015 • April 1, 2015
This study quantified the time and effort required by persons with motor complete and incomplete paraplegia and tetraplegia to learn to use a powered exoskeleton. Participants demonstrated heart rate ...
KEY FINDING: Six participants managed to walk with minimal assistance in a median of 8 sessions.
Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2015 • April 1, 2015
The primary aim was to evaluate EAW velocity, number of sessions, and LOA and the relationships among them. The secondary aims were to report on safety and the qualitative analysis of gait and posture...
KEY FINDING: Seven of 12 participants ambulated ≥0.40 m/s using the exoskeleton.
PLoS ONE, 2016 • December 21, 2016
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of the Wheelchair Skills Training Program (WSTP) for community-dwelling veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI). Participants were randomly ...
KEY FINDING: Participants in the WSTP group improved their total and Advanced-level WST scores by 7.1% and 30.1% relative to baseline (p < 0.001) and retained their scores at one year follow-up.
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2015 • September 3, 2015
This review focuses on spinal plasticity induced by robotic-mediated therapy in humans, particularly in the lower limbs of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) or stroke. It highlights the potential...
KEY FINDING: BWS robotic-assisted step training can lead to changes in spinal reflex pathways in patients with SCI or stroke, including re-emergence of physiological phase modulation.
Healthcare Technology Letters, 2016 • October 17, 2016
The study examines the origin of interaction forces between lower limb exoskeletons and their users, investigating the contribution of muscular activity versus exoskeleton movement. The research found...
KEY FINDING: Peak interaction forces are particularly prominent at the anterior aspect of the right leg.