A first-of-its-kind study using lower-limb exoskeletons to facilitate therapist-patient interaction during functional tasks—published in Science Robotics—could revolutionize this paradigm.
As part of the study, scientists from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Northwestern University introduced a novel intervention they call therapist-exoskeleton-patient interaction (TEPI), in which a therapist and a stroke survivor are each equipped with a lower-limb exoskeleton virtually connected at the hips and knees via spring-damper elements.
This connection enables bidirectional physical interaction, allowing the therapist to guide and respond to the patient's movement through the forces generated by the virtual connection.
Results showed that TEPI led to greater joint range of motion, increased step length and height, and similar muscle activation compared with conventional therapy, as well as high self-reported motivation and enjoyment.
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