Browse the latest research summaries in the field of assistive technology for spinal cord injury patients and caregivers.
Showing 451-460 of 581 results
PLoS ONE, 2018 • January 2, 2018
This study investigates the impact of limited depth cues in virtual reality (VR) on reaching performance and movement quality. The research compares reaching movements in different VR setups, includin...
KEY FINDING: Participants using head-mounted displays (HMDs) performed significantly better than those using a two-dimensional computer screen in terms of completion time.
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2018 • January 10, 2018
This study demonstrates that user specific adaptive control can be applied on a wearable robot based on the human-orthosis interaction torques and modifying the joints’ impedance properties. The patie...
KEY FINDING: The exoskeleton demonstrated an adaptive assistance depending on the patients’ performance without guiding them to follow an imposed trajectory.
Scientific Reports, 2018 • January 3, 2018
This study investigates the role of trunk posture in improving locomotion after spinal cord injury (SCI) using a robotic postural interface in rats. The robotic system and computer simulations reveale...
KEY FINDING: Real-time control of trunk posture re-established dynamic balance amongst bilateral proprioceptive feedback circuits, restoring symmetry, loading, and stepping consistency in rats with severe SCI.
Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2017 • December 12, 2017
This study developed and tested a framework for measuring progress in exoskeleton skills in individuals with complete spinal cord injury. The framework includes hierarchical skill tests to assess basi...
KEY FINDING: Participants showed a significant increase in achieved intermediate skills during the training program, demonstrating progress in their ability to use the exoskeleton.
Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2017 • January 1, 2017
This pilot study explored consumer opinions on assistive technology (AT) to inform research priorities using a questionnaire. The goal was to identify needs and wants related to AT in a systematic way...
KEY FINDING: Many participants expressed interest in technologies that reduce the need for caregiver assistance, highlighting the importance of independence in activities of daily living.
Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2017 • April 1, 2017
The mobility applications of MEBot 2.0 – curb climbing/descending and attitude control – were introduced and evaluated through a stability analysis. The results showed that the position of the center ...
KEY FINDING: The area of the footprint changed with the location of the wheels during curb climbing/descending and attitude control applications.
Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2017 • January 1, 2017
The study compared a touchscreen UI with a joystick UI for controlling ARMs, using the ARMET to evaluate performance. The touchscreen UI was preferred by most participants and resulted in better perfo...
KEY FINDING: Seven out of eight participants preferred the touchscreen interface over the joystick interface.
Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2017 • April 1, 2017
The study describes feedback from focus groups of potential users of the Robotic-Assisted Transfer Device (RATD) and design changes aimed at preparing the device for the next step in the development p...
KEY FINDING: Sixty-three percent of people with disabilities and 83% of caregivers surveyed indicated they would use the device.
Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2015 • January 1, 2015
This study evaluated the influence of gait training with an IRGO on the kinematics and temporal spatial parameters in MMC children. The findings showed that orthotic gait training improved hip joint r...
KEY FINDING: Orthotic gait training with IRGO significantly increased walking speed in children with MMC.
Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2017 • July 1, 2017
Bionic exoskeletons offer potential benefits for individuals with spinal cord injuries by assisting with ambulation and reducing secondary medical complications. However, limitations such as cost, bat...
KEY FINDING: Bionic exoskeletons can provide reciprocal stepping for individuals with SCI, but their ability to improve fitness and address secondary medical complications remains to be determined.