Review
Clinical Neurology
Christopher C. H. Yip, Chor-Yin Lam, Kenneth M. C. Cheung, Yat Wa Wong, Paul A. Koljonen
Summary: In addition to helping individuals with SCI regain ambulation, robotic exoskeletons offer biophysical benefits that can reduce complications from immobilization. These benefits include improved upper body fitness, circulatory response, bowel movement regularity, and reduced pain and spasticity. Exoskeleton use has also been suggested to improve quality of life and increase participation in day-to-day activities. However, there is a lack of large-scale and conclusive studies on the effects of exoskeleton use.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Angel Gil-Agudo, Alvaro Megia-Garcia, Jose Luis Pons, Isabel Sinovas-Alonso, Natalia Comino-Suarez, Vicente Lozano-Berrio, Antonio J. del-Ama
Summary: This study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of using the HANK exoskeleton for walking rehabilitation, and investigate its effects on walking function. The results showed that the use of HANK exoskeleton in clinical settings is safe and well-tolerated by the patients. Patients receiving treatment with the exoskeleton improved their walking independence as measured by the WISCI-II.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Nicola Postol, Neil J. Spratt, Andrew Bivard, Jodie Marquez
Summary: This study evaluated the feasibility of therapy with a free-standing exoskeleton for individuals with SCI and found potential health benefits for a small subset of patients. Participants showed positive trends in function and other outcomes, and the intervention was highly acceptable to all. Further research is needed to determine the characteristics of patients most likely to benefit from this intervention.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xiao-Na Xiang, Li-Ming Zhang, Hui-Yan Zong, Yi Ou, Xi Yu, Yan Liu, Hong-Ying Jiang, Hong Cheng, Hong-Chen He, Cheng-Qi He
Summary: This study aimed to determine whether exoskeleton-assisted walking (EAW) could improve pulmonary ventilation function, motor function, and related body structure and activities for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) equivalent to conventional exercise programs. Results showed that after EAW training, participants demonstrated significant improvements in forced vital capacity (FVC), predicted FVC%, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, basic activities of daily living (BADL), and distal femoral cartilage compared to the control group. There was no difference observed in trunk and lower extremity motor function, bone mineral density, and adverse events. Therefore, EAW training has the potential to benefit individuals with lower thoracic SCI by facilitating pulmonary ventilation function, walking ability, BADL, and cartilage thickness, and can be used in conjunction with conventional exercise programs to reduce the burden on therapists.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xiao-Na Xiang, Hui-Yan Zong, Yi Ou, Xi Yu, Hong Cheng, Chun-Ping Du, Hong-Chen He
Summary: The study findings indicate that exoskeleton-assisted walking significantly improves pulmonary function parameters in spinal cord injury patients, showing potential benefits for individuals with lower thoracic neurological levels of SCI. Additionally, robotic exoskeletons help facilitate walking.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jae Hyeon Park, Hyeon Seong Kim, Seong Ho Jang, Dong Jin Hyun, Sang In Park, JuYoung Yoon, Hyunseop Lim, Mi Jung Kim
Summary: The study investigated the cardiorespiratory responses to 10 weeks of exoskeleton-assisted walking training in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). The findings showed that the exercise intensity remained moderate according to METs, while the average %HRR significantly decreased after training. Additionally, walking efficiency progressively improved after the 10-week training period.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Loreto Garcia-Alen, Hatice Kumru, Yolanda Castillo-Escario, Jesus Benito-Penalva, Josep Medina-Casanovas, Yury P. P. Gerasimenko, Victor Reggie Edgerton, Guillermo Garcia-Alias, Joan Vidal
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cervical transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) combined with an exoskeleton on motor strength and functionality of the upper extremities in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI). The results showed that this combined treatment significantly improved the motor strength and functionality of the upper extremities compared to using an exoskeleton alone.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Federica Tamburella, Matteo Lorusso, Marco Tramontano, Silvia Fadlun, Marcella Masciullo, Giorgio Scivoletto
Summary: Overground powered lower limb exoskeletons have proven to be effective in gait rehabilitation for individuals with spinal cord injury. This systematic review provides a general overview of the effects of commercial exoskeletons for medical purposes in individuals with SCI. However, due to the limitations in study quality and heterogeneity in outcome measures, protocols, and SCI features, it is not possible to draw general conclusions about the effects of exoskeleton usage.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Rehabilitation
Linda Ehrlich-Jones, Deborah S. Crown, Dominique Kinnett-Hopkins, Edelle Field-Fote, Cathy Furbish, Chaithanya K. Mummidisetty, Rachel A. Bond, Gail Forrest, Arun Jayaraman, Allen W. Heinemann
Summary: The study examined the experiences of clinicians who have used robotic exoskeletons in practice, revealing benefits such as reduced physical burden and increased patient mobility. However, concerns remain regarding patient selection, expectation management, and training.
ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Madalina Elena Henea, Eusebiu Viorel Sindilar, Liviu Catalin Burtan, Iuliana Mihai, Mariana Grecu, Alina Anton, Gheorghe Solcan
Summary: Spinal cord injuries in dogs are common and often caused by trauma or discal hernia. Physiotherapy and assisted gait devices can help paralyzed dogs develop spinal walking and improve their quality of life.
Review
Neurosciences
Yury Ivanenko, Elena Y. Shapkova, Daria A. Petrova, Daria F. Kleeva, Mikhail A. Lebedev
Summary: Neuromodulation through spinal cord electrical stimulation (SCES) is effective in restoring function, but its effectiveness can be enhanced by combining it with exoskeleton gait training (EGT) that promotes activity-dependent plasticity. Assessing individual characteristics of spinal cord function is important for developing personalized SCES and EGT therapies. Combining SCES and EGT can have a synergistic rehabilitative effect on restoring multiple functions in paralyzed individuals.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stephen Clive Hayes, Matthew White, Christopher Richard James Wilcox, Hollie Samantha Forbes White, Natalie Vanicek
Summary: This study compared the biomechanical profiles of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and able-bodied individuals inside the ReWalk (TM) powered exoskeleton. The study found differences in joint angles between the SCI group and the able-bodied group, but using the ReWalk (TM) device for upright walking was able to activate central pattern generators (CPGs).
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mark Andrew Wright, Franziska Herzog, Anna Mas-Vinyals, Alfons Carnicero-Carmona, Joan Lobo-Prat, Cornelia Hensel, Steffen Franz, Norbert Weidner, Joan Vidal, Eloy Opisso, Ruediger Rupp
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the safety, feasibility, and usability of the ABLE Exoskeleton for individuals with spinal cord injury in clinical settings. The results show that safe gait training with the ABLE Exoskeleton in hospital settings improves clinical outcomes for persons with SCI. The study protocol allows for consistent comparison with other exoskeleton trials and can serve as a framework for standardizing early clinical evaluations.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hyeon Seong Kim, Jae Hyeon Park, Ho Seok Lee, Jae Young Lee, Ji Won Jung, Si Bog Park, Dong Jin Hyun, Sangin Park, JuYoung Yoon, Hyunseop Lim, Yun Young Choi, Mi Jung Kim
Summary: The study demonstrated that the newly developed wearable exoskeleton, H-MEX, is safe and feasible for non-ambulatory SCI patients, and may have potential to improve quality of life by assisting bipedal ambulation. These results suggest that the H-MEX can be considered a beneficial device for chronic non-ambulatory SCI patients.
JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Serena Maggioni, Lars Lunenburger, Robert Riener, Armin Curt, Marc Bolliger, Alejandro Melendez-Calderon
Summary: In this study, researchers proposed an adaptive assist-as-needed control system for assessing walking ability in patients undergoing robot-assisted locomotor training. The results showed that this approach can provide valid and reliable walking assessments for patients with different injury severity levels.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Dominic O'Connor, Ailish Daly, Conor Mulvin, Olive Lennon
Summary: A single exercise session per week for cancer survivors may impact long-term exercise participation and improve quality of life, but has minimal effect on fatigue.
BMJ SUPPORTIVE & PALLIATIVE CARE
(2022)
Article
Rehabilitation
Dominic O'Connor, Olive Lennon, Conor Minogue, Brian Caulfield
Summary: This narrative review explores design considerations for effective neuromuscular electrical stimulation exercise prescription in cancer rehabilitation, emphasizing the importance of individualized training and progressive approaches, as well as identifying appropriate stimulation parameters for delivering effective neuromuscular electrical stimulation. The proposed innovative intervention design provides practical information for clinicians and practitioners working with neuromuscular electrical stimulation exercise in cancer rehabilitation.
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
L. McMahon, C. Blake, O. Lennon
Summary: This systematic review identifies the current evidence to support nonpharmacological interventions to improve respiratory impairments in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Various nonpharmacological interventions, such as training, respiratory muscle strength training, aerobic exercise, qigong, and yoga, have been shown to improve respiratory muscle strength and peak expiratory flow in PD patients. Further studies are needed to target respiratory dysfunction and examine the relationship between respiratory dysfunction and morbidity and mortality rates in PD.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Grainne O'Donoghue, Catherine Blake, Caitriona Cunningham, Olive Lennon, Carla Perrotta
Summary: The study found that any type of exercise intervention is more effective than control in adults living with obesity, but with modest weight loss results. Interventions combining high-intensity aerobic and high-load resistance training show superior benefits in reducing abdominal adiposity, improving lean body mass, and increasing cardiorespiratory fitness. These findings should be considered by clinicians when prescribing exercise for this population to ensure optimal effectiveness.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caitlin McDonald, Caitriona Fingleton, Sean Murphy, Olive Lennon
Summary: This study explores the usability and acceptance of robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) among stroke patients in an acute hospital setting. The findings suggest that RAGT is generally acceptable and helpful for stroke patients in the early phases, although there are some associated negative aspects. Walking in the device is rated as comfortable and natural, and those with greater disability rate assisted walking as more natural.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Laura McMahon, Catherine Blake, Olive Lennon
Summary: Respiratory dysfunction is common in Parkinson's disease, and it is associated with increased hospital admission and mortality rates. Central and peripheral mechanisms have been proposed, but a systematic review is lacking to identify the extent and type of respiratory impairments in Parkinson's disease compared with healthy controls.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nissrin Amrani El Yaakoubi, Caitlin McDonald, Olive Lennon
Summary: Human-machine interfaces have the potential to enhance rehabilitation by predicting and responding to movement intent. Neural network architectures using muscle and brain activity can accurately predict kinematics and kinetics in gait rehabilitation. EEG and EMG are commonly used tools, with LSTM and CNN showing the highest accuracies.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Stefano Tortora, Luca Tonin, Sebastian Sieghartsleitner, Rupert Ortner, Christoph Guger, Olive Lennon, Damien Coyle, Emanuele Menegatti, Alessandra Del Felice
Summary: Neurorehabilitation with robotic devices requires a paradigm shift to enhance human-robot interaction. The coupling of robot assisted gait training (RAGT) with a brain-machine interface (BMI) represents an important step in this direction but requires better elucidation of the effect of RAGT on the user's neural modulation.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Patricia Hall, Maggie Lawrence, Catherine Blake, Olive Lennon
Summary: This article provides an overview of reviews on behaviour-change interventions for stroke secondary prevention. The study finds moderate evidence supporting multimodal interventions and psychological talk therapies in reducing cardiovascular events and improving risk-reducing behaviors. However, there is insufficient evidence for other outcomes such as mortality and recurrent stroke. Further research is needed to identify optimal intervention strategies.
CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Roberto Di Marco, Maria Rubega, Olive Lennon, Asja Vianello, Stefano Masiero, Emanuela Formaggio, Alessandra Del Felice
Summary: Robot-aided gait training (RAGT) is important in physical therapy and it is necessary to understand its impact on brain activity and motor learning. This study measured the neuromuscular effect of a single RAGT session in healthy middle-aged individuals.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Frances Horgan, Olive Lennon, Anne Hickey, Jan Sorensen, Thilo Kroll, Deirdre McCartan, Patricia Hall, Geraldine O'Callaghan, Clare Fitzgerald, Julianne Hickey, Martin Fahy, Philip Osborne, Mary Scullion, Cliodhna Ni Bhroin, David Williams
Summary: Embedding Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) in postgraduate research is recognized as an important component of training for future healthcare researchers. The iPASTAR program aims to design a person-centered stroke pathway to optimize post-stroke health and wellbeing. This study will evaluate the process and impact of embedding PPI during a PhD program.
FRONTIERS IN REHABILITATION SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Education & Educational Research
Deirdre Phelan, Terry Barrett, Olive Lennon
Summary: This systematic review examines the latest research and evidence supporting interprofessional problem-based learning (iPBL) as a developmental tool for interprofessional competences. The results show that iPBL promotes competences in ethics/values, roles/responsibilities, interprofessional communication, and teams/teamwork. Qualitative research dominates, while limited high-level quantitative data suggest effects on students' attitudes and perceptions of interprofessional competences. However, there is a lack of detailed reporting on the context and implementation mechanisms of iPBL, and most studies are conducted in university rather than clinical settings.
INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Olive Lennon, Alexandra Crystal, Michelle Kwan, Caoimhe Tierney, Anne Gallagher, Sean Murphy
Summary: This study explored the experiences and perceptions of individuals who attended cardiac rehabilitation (CR) following a stroke. The findings suggest that CR is a safe and feasible intervention for stroke patients, providing them with a supportive and safe environment. Additionally, the study highlights the need for more support and information for stroke patients during their care pathway.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Patricia Hall, Lena von Koch, Xu Wang, Olive Lennon
Summary: This scoping review examines national stroke care guidelines and audit documents to identify non-pharmacological, non-surgical stroke secondary prevention recommendations and performance indicators. The study finds gaps in optimal stroke secondary prevention recommendations and their implementation.
Article
Oncology
Dominic O'Connor, Brian Caulfield, Sarah Wright, Olive Lennon
Summary: In patients with glioblastoma multiforme, a 10-week NMES/voluntary exercise intervention resulted in improvements in physical and quality of life outcomes. Rapid progression to combined voluntary exercise and NMES, along with an increase in physical activity levels, demonstrates the potential of NMES as a safe and effective supportive intervention in managing GBM. Future clinical trials are needed to further investigate these promising findings.
REHABILITATION ONCOLOGY
(2021)