scholarly journals Effectiveness of Robotic Exoskeleton-Assisted Gait Training in Spinocerebellar Ataxia: A Case Report

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4874
Author(s):  
San-Ha Kim ◽  
Jae-Young Han ◽  
Min-Keun Song ◽  
In-Sung Choi ◽  
Hyeng-Kyu Park
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Spinocerebellar Ataxia ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Gait Training ◽  
General Function ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Function ◽  
Robotic Exoskeleton ◽  
Therapeutic Outcomes ◽  
Gait Function ◽  
Restricted Mobility

Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder that presents as ataxia. Due to the decline in balance, patients with SCA often experience restricted mobility and a decreased quality of life. Thus, many studies have emphasized the importance of physiotherapies, including gait training, in SCA patients. However, few studies have examined the effectiveness of robotic gait training in SCA. Here, we report the therapeutic outcomes of exoskeleton-assisted gait training in a patient with SCA. A 23-year-old woman with SCA participated in a gait training program using a powered lower-limb robotic exoskeleton, ANGELLEGS. The 8-week training program consisted of standing training, weight-shifting exercises, and gait training. Several measures of general function, balance, gait, and cardiopulmonary function were applied before, after, and 4 weeks after the program. After the program, overall improvements were found on scales measuring balance and gait function, and these improvements remained at 4 weeks after the program. Cardiopulmonary function was also improved 4 weeks after the program. Robotic exoskeleton gait training can be a beneficial option for training balance, gait, and cardiopulmonary function in SCA.

scholarly journals Antisense oligonucleotides targeting mutant Ataxin-7 restore visual function in a mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 7

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (465) ◽  
pp. eaap8677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenchen Niu ◽  
Thazah P. Prakash ◽  
Aneeza Kim ◽  
John L. Quach ◽  
Laryssa A. Huryn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Spinocerebellar Ataxia ◽  
Visual Function ◽  
Antisense Oligonucleotides ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Retinal Disease ◽  
Fundus Photography ◽  
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type ◽  
Autofluorescence Imaging ◽  
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cerebellar and retinal degeneration, and is caused by a CAG-polyglutamine repeat expansion in the ATAXIN-7 gene. Patients with SCA7 develop progressive cone-rod dystrophy, typically resulting in blindness. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are single-stranded chemically modified nucleic acids designed to mediate the destruction, prevent the translation, or modify the processing of targeted RNAs. Here, we evaluated ASOs as treatments for SCA7 retinal degeneration in representative mouse models of the disease after injection into the vitreous humor of the eye. Using Ataxin-7 aggregation, visual function, retinal histopathology, gene expression, and epigenetic dysregulation as outcome measures, we found that ASO-mediated Ataxin-7 knockdown yielded improvements in treated SCA7 mice. In SCA7 mice with retinal disease, intravitreal injection of Ataxin-7 ASOs also improved visual function despite initiating treatment after symptom onset. Using color fundus photography and autofluorescence imaging, we also determined the nature of retinal degeneration in human SCA7 patients. We observed variable disease severity and cataloged rapidly progressive retinal degeneration. Given the accessibility of neural retina, availability of objective, quantitative readouts for monitoring therapeutic response, and the rapid disease progression in SCA7, ASOs targeting ATAXIN-7 might represent a viable treatment for SCA7 retinal degeneration.

Gait Training with Wearable Hip-assist Robot Reduce Trunk and Leg Muscle Efforts and Metabolic Energy Consumption in Community Dwelling Elderly Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hwang-Jae Lee ◽  
Su Hyun Lee ◽  
Won Hyuk Chang ◽  
Keehong Seo ◽  
Jusuk Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Gait Training ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Metabolic Energy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Elderly Adults ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Gait Function ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background: Wearable types of gait-assist robots have been developed to provide additional advantages such as being easily transportable, producing a more natural gait pattern, and being simple to control. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intensive gait training with a newly developed wearable hip-assist robot on gait function and cardiopulmonary metabolic energy efficiency in community-dwelling elderly adults. Methods: Total of 27 community-dwelling elderly adults with age-related problems completed in this intervention study (15 experimental group and 12 control group) . The experimental participants received an intensive gait training program with a total of 10 sessions involving five sessions of treadmill and five sessions of over-ground gait training with the wearable hip-assist robot. The control group received gait training without a wearable-hip assist robot. The primary outcomes were gait functions (spatio-temporal parameters and muscle effort). The secondary outcome was cardiopulmonary metabolic energy consumption. Results: Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly greater improvements after intervention in spatio-temporal parameters (gait speed, cadence, and stride length) and reduced muscle efforts (trunk and lower extremity) with gait (p < 0.05). In addition, the reduction in oxygen consumption (ml/min/kg) was about 16.31% in the experimental group after intervention. Furthermore, the reduction in the aerobic energy expenditure measurement (Kcal/min) was about 17.36% in the experimental group after intensive gait training with wearable hip-assist robot. All cardiopulmonary metabolic energy consumption parameters in the experimental group were reduced significantly more than in the control group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The intensive gait training with a wearable hip-assist robot was effective in improving gait function and cardiopulmonary metabolic energy efficiency in community-dwelling elderly adults with age-related problems. Trial registration: NCT02843828, registration date: 07/14/2016 - retrospectively registered

Enhancing quality of life in progressive multiple sclerosis with powered robotic exoskeleton

2020 ◽  
pp. 135245852094308
Author(s):  
Seng Kwee Wee ◽  
Chiu Yi Ho ◽  
Si Lei Tan ◽  
Cheng Hong Ong
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Gait Training ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Progressive Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Robotic Exoskeleton ◽  
Lower Limb Strength ◽  
Training Post

Wearable powered robotic exoskeleton can provide high repetitions and high-intensity gait training. It can promote a sense of well-being when the user is in upright posture to walk around different environment. We present a case of a lady with progressive multiple sclerosis who received 15 sessions of robotic exoskeleton training. Post training, she demonstrated improvement in lower limb strength, sense of well-being and self-esteem that led to improved transfer ability, increased social outings and better quality of life (QOL). Previously, she was depressed and reluctant to go out for social activities. This case suggests the potential of robotic exoskeleton to enhance QOL in people with mobility challenges.

VP92 Portable Robotic Exoskeleton Stride Management Assist (SMA®)

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (S1) ◽  
pp. 95-95
Author(s):  
Luis María Sánchez-Gómez ◽  
Ana Isabel Hijas-Gómez ◽  
Mar Polo-DeSantos ◽  
Setefilla Luengo-Matos
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Conventional Therapy ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Safety Data ◽  
Gait Training ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Early Assessment ◽  
Robotic Exoskeleton ◽  
Gait Parameters

IntroductionThe Stride Management Assist (SMA®) device consist in a portable robotic exoskeleton designed for gait rehabilitation and training by repetition of walking patterns with automated regular gait cycles. Used for adult population with gait disorders of neurological or musculoskeletal origin that require rehabilitation. The objective of this work is to assess its efficacy and safety.MethodsThis technology was identified by the early Awareness and Alert System, “SINTESIS-new technologies” of AETS-ISCIII. An early assessment of the technology was conducted. The searched databases were: Pubmed, Embase, WOS, Tripdatabase, ClinicalTrials.org and Cochrane Library. Clinical studies using the device published in any language until 10 October 2018 were reviewed.ResultsWe found 3 abstracts to congresses and 6 clinical trials that evaluated the use of the device. Outcomes measures among studies included spatiotemporal gait parameters, energy expenditure, muscular activity and functional performance. Five studies consisted in proof-of-concept analysis; 3 studies evaluated the effect of gait training with SMA® compared with conventional therapy alone in individuals after stroke (2 studies) and Parkinson disease (1 study); and 1 before-and-after study assessed the effect of gait training with SMA® in elderly adults. During its use, improvements in spatiotemporal gait parameters were described in 4/5 studies, and 2/5 studies showed less energy expenditure versus 2/5 studies that found no differences. After gait training, 3/4 studies described greater improvements in gait parameters when associated its use. Only one clinical trial collected safety data reporting no adverse events.ConclusionsThe SMA® device allows to increase the efficiency and parameters of the march during its use. The assistance in the stride might have an impact on health by facilitating the recovery of the gait; however, further research is needed to determine the feasibility in the latter case since comparative studies with conventional therapy are limited.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document