Automated stride assistance device improved the gait parameters and energy cost during walking of healthy middle-aged females but not those of young controls

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of an automated stride assistance device on gait parameters and energy cost during walking performed by healthy middle-aged and young females. [Subjects and Methods] Ten middle-aged females and 10 young females were recruited as case and control participants, respectively. The participants walked for 3 minutes continuously under two different experimental conditions: with the device and without the device. Walking distance, mean walking speed, mean step length, cadence, walk ratio and the physiological cost index during the 3-minutes walk were measured. [Results] When walking with the stride assistance device, the step length and walk ratio of the middle-aged group were significantly higher than without it. Also, during walking without assistance from the device, the physiological cost index of the middle-aged group significantly increased; whereas during walking with assistance, there was no change. The intergroup comparison in the middle-aged group showed the physiological cost index was lower under the experimental condition with assistance provided, as opposed to the condition without the provision of assistance. [Conclusion] The results of this study show that the stride assistance device improved the gait parameters of the middle-aged group but not those of young controls.

Use of a Robotic Walking Device for Home and Community Mobility in Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The EXOD, provided by Honda R&D Americas, Inc, weighs 5.95 lb and has 2 motors that run on a single rechargeable battery. The device has Food and Drug Administration clearance for people with stroke with gait deficiencies and has established safety and feasibility in healthy older adults and people with stroke 20-23. Hip joint angle and torque output are monitored using angle and current sensors.…”

“…The device has Food and Drug Administration clearance for people with stroke with gait deficiencies and has established safety and feasibility in healthy older adults and people with stroke. [20][21][22][23] Hip joint angle and torque output are monitored using angle and current sensors. Assist torque is transmitted to the user's thighs via thigh frames.…”

“…20 Laboratory-based studies in healthy adult and neurological populations to examine the effects of gait training using EXODs with hip assistance, including the HWA device, have demonstrated improved gait spatiotemporal parameters and endurance. [20][21][22][23][24][25] Healthy elderly and middle-aged adults showed temporary improvements in stride length, gait speed, and energy costs wearing the HWA compared with unassisted walking. 21,22 Long-term HWA usage in individuals with stroke improved gait parameters during unassisted walking.…”

“…[20][21][22][23][24][25] Healthy elderly and middle-aged adults showed temporary improvements in stride length, gait speed, and energy costs wearing the HWA compared with unassisted walking. 21,22 Long-term HWA usage in individuals with stroke improved gait parameters during unassisted walking. 20,23 Individuals with moderately advanced PD (n = 12) showed immediate improvements in gait speed, step length, and hip flexion and extension excursion while walking with the HWA device and improved walking endurance during unassisted walking after 10 half-hour sessions of gait training with the HWA device in the home setting.…”

Design of a multi-resiliency exoskeleton and its physiologic cost evaluation in uphill walking and stair climbing locomotion

“…Moreover, in other measurement methods for evaluating performance improvement, the PCI of healthy human users is reported to be reduced by 0%-10.28%. 15,16 However, compared with the total consumption of human walking, the energy saving of the exoskeleton described above is still relatively small.…”