Topics in NeuroRehab Episode 31: Exoskeletons For Improving Mobility Post-Stroke

Hear from Dr. Gregory Sawicki, Associate Professor at Georgia Tech’s School of Mechanical Engineering and School of Biological Sciences and Director of the Human Physiology of Wearable Robotics (PoweR) Lab, as he discusses utilizing robotic technology to achieve improved outcomes post stroke. First, Dr. Sawicki will dissect out the common symptoms that we see in gait biomechanics post-stroke, utilizing an interesting method to confirm many of the things being found currently in the literature, including the notion that a propulsion deficit is the issue most responsible for increasing metabolic cost. He also gets into the critical concept of Trailing Limb Angle, including some interesting and easily applicable techniques to help patients not only produce paretic propulsion but utilize it effectively to move themselves forward in space.

For more information on this series or on ReWalk Robotics, please visit us at: https://rewalk.com/contact/

In case you missed our previous episode, click here to watch Topics in Neuro Rehab Ep 30: Exoskeleton Assisted Ambulation – What the Clinician Needs to Know

For more information on Dr. Sawicki’s work, please visit the following links:

https://sites.gatech.edu/hpl/

1) Revisiting the mechanics and energetics of walking in individuals with chronic hemiparesis following stroke: from individual limbs to lower limb joints – https://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-015-0012-x

2) Reduced joint motion supersedes asymmetry in explaining increased metabolic demand during walking with mechanical restriction – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34284306/

3) The exoskeleton expansion: improving walking and running economy – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32075669/

4) A neuromechanics-based powered ankle exoskeleton to assist walking post-stroke: a feasibility study – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25889283/

5) Mechanics and energetics of post-stroke walking aided by a powered ankle exoskeleton with speed-adaptive myoelectric control – https://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-019-0523-y

6) Effects of Bilateral Assistance for Hemiparetic Gait Post-Stroke Using a Powered Hip Exoskeleton – https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10439-022-03041-9