Activity-based training with the Myosuit: a safety and feasibility study across diverse gait disorders
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RESEARCH
Activity‑based training with the Myosuit: a safety and feasibility study across diverse gait disorders Florian Leander Haufe1* , Kai Schmidt1,2, Jaime Enrique Duarte2, Peter Wolf1, Robert Riener1,3 and Michele Xiloyannis1
Abstract Background: Physical activity is a recommended part of treatment for numerous neurological and neuromuscular disorders. Yet, many individuals with limited mobility are not able to meet the recommended activity levels. Lightweight, wearable robots like the Myosuit promise to facilitate functional ambulation and thereby physical activity. However, there is limited evidence of the safety and feasibility of training with such devices. Methods: Twelve participants with diverse motor disorders and the ability to walk for at least 10 m were enrolled in this uncontrolled case series study. The study protocol included five training sessions with a net training time of 45 min each. Primary outcomes were the feasibility of engaging in training with the Myosuit, the occurrence of adverse events, and participant retention. As secondary outcomes, we analyzed the walking speed using the 10-m Walk Test (10MWT) and for three participants, walking endurance using the 2-min Walk Tests. Results: Eight out of 12 participants completed the entire study protocol. Three participants withdrew from the study or were excluded for reasons unrelated to the study. One participant withdrew because of an unsafe feeling when walking with the Myosuit. No adverse events occurred during the study period for any of the participants and all scheduled trainings were completed. For five out of the eight participants that completed the full study, the walking speed when using the Myosuit was higher than to their baseline walking speed. Conclusions: Activity-based training with the Myosuit appears to be safe, feasible, and well-tolerated by individuals with diverse motor disorders. Keywords: Training, Rehabilitation, Robot-assisted, Exoskeleton, Stroke, Spinal cord injury, Muscle dystrophy, Exosuit, Exomuscle Background Physical inactivity has been identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality, only surpassed by hypertension, tobacco use, and hyperglycemia. To contain the risks associated with physical inactivity, the World Health Organization recommends that all adults *Correspondence: [email protected] 1 Sensory‑Motor Systems (SMS) Lab, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS), ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
engage in moderate intensity physical activity for at least 150 min each week [1]. Physical activity is also a recommended part of treatment for stroke patients [2], and for patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) [3], inherited neuropathies such Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease [4], heart failure [5], or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [6]. These wide-ranging recommendations reflect the consistent association between increased physical activity and improved health-related
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