Robotic upright stand trainer (RobUST) and postural control in individuals with spinal cord injury

This study explores using a new robotic device, RobUST, to help people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) stand upright and improve their balance. RobUST can provide support or gently push the person to challenge their balance while standing. The researchers tested RobUST with four individuals who had difficulty standing on their own. They looked at how the participants' bodies reacted to different standing conditions, both with and without the robot's help. The results suggest that RobUST can create a safe and challenging environment for standing, which might help improve how people with SCI train and assess their postural control.

• 1
  Participants were able to attempt all tasks with continuous pelvic assistance via RobUST, and manual trainer assistance at the knees to maintain standing.
• 2
  Free hands trunk perturbations resulted in greater load bearing-related sensory information, trunk displacement, and muscle activation compared to hands on.
• 3
  Self-initiated trunk movements controlled by hands on showed 116% greater trunk displacement, 10% greater vertical ground reaction force, and greater ankle muscle activation compared to free hands.