Effects of a passive upper extremity exoskeleton for overhead tasks

Yin, Peng; Qu, Shengguan; Wang, Chao

doi:10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102478

Cited by 48 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…We could not find studies that explore the myographic effects of devices on stroke patients with a sample size larger than one [20]. Thus far, reports on larger samples have been conducted on healthy populations [19,21,48]. Importantly, we also did not find studies that use ADLs for assessment in stroke patients, with most studies using very specific tasks or controlled movements.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Some research groups have also opted for using passive devices instead. Yin et al [21] developed a passive exoskeleton for overhead tasks and report an average electromyographic (EMG) reduction of 39.3% on Anterior Deltoid (AD), 32.4% on medial deltoid and 32.2% on Triceps Brachii (TB) in a study with 15 healthy participants. Qu et al [22] developed a passive exoskeleton for lifting tasks, and reported a reduction of 38% in the labrumbiceps muscle in a study with 8 participants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Soft, Lightweight Wearable Robots to Support the Upper Limb in Activities of Daily Living: A Feasibility Study on Chronic Stroke Patients

Noronha

Little

et al. 2022

IEEE Trans. Neural Syst. Rehabil. Eng.

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Stroke can be a devastating condition that impairs the upper limb and reduces mobility. Wearable robots can aid impaired users by supporting performance of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). In the past decade, soft devices have become popular due to their inherent malleable and low-weight properties that makes them generally safer and more ergonomic. In this study, we present an improved version of our previously developed gravity-compensating upper limb exosuit and introduce a novel hand exoskeleton. The latter uses 3D-printed structures that are attached to the back of the fingers which prevent undesired hyperextension of joints. We explored the feasibility of using this integrated system in a sample of 10 chronic stroke patients who performed 10 ADLs. We observed a significant reduction of 30.3 ± 3.5% (mean ± standard error), 31.2 ± 3.2% and 14.0 ± 5.1% in the mean muscular activity of the Biceps Brachii (BB), Anterior Deltoid (AD) and Extensor Digitorum Communis muscles, respectively. Additionally, we observed a reduction of 14.0 ± 11.5%, 14.7 ± 6.9% and 12.8 ± 4.4% in the coactivation of the pairs of muscles BB and Triceps Brachii (TB), BB and AD, and TB and Pectoralis Major (PM), respectively, typically associated to pathological muscular synergies, without significant degradation of healthy muscular coactivation. There was also a significant increase of elbow flexion angle (12.1±1.5°). These results further cement the potential of using lightweight wearable devices to assist impaired users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soft, Lightweight Wearable Robots to Support the Upper Limb in Activities of Daily Living: A Feasibility Study on Chronic Stroke Patients

Noronha

Little

et al. 2022

IEEE Trans. Neural Syst. Rehabil. Eng.

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“…To date, a multitude of studies have noted positive biomechanical and physiological results for this class of exoskeleton. These results include reductions in muscle activity during static and dynamic movements (Rashedi et al 2014, Kim, Nussbaum, Mokhlespour Esfahani, Alemi, Alabdulkarim, andRashedi 2018;Theurel et al 2018;Alabdulkarim and Nussbaum 2019;Gillette and Stephenson 2019;Schmalz et al 2019;Grazi et al 2020;Iranzo et al 2020;Yin et al 2020), decreases in the sum of joint torque in the upper arm (Sylla et al 2014), decreases in the effective load on the shoulder joint (Naito et al 2007), and decreases in heart rate (Schmalz et al 2019;Grazi et al 2020). That being said, physiological measures related to oxygen utilisation in the surrounding musculature can provide a complementary picture of how upper-extremity exoskeletons alter the capacity for muscles to do work and the subsequent likelihood of muscle fatigue.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These exoskeletons assist individuals working in jobs that require arm elevation, such as supporting the weight of the arms or a tool during overhead work. Yin et al, 2020;Bock et al 2021). However, there are some limitations of this type of approach that are worth noting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A physiological and biomechanical investigation of three passive upper-extremity exoskeletons during simulated overhead work

et al. 2021

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The objective of this study was to evaluate three passive upper-extremity exoskeletons relative to a control condition. Twelve subjects performed an hour-long, simulated occupational task in a laboratory setting. Independent measures of exoskeleton, exertion height (overhead, head height), time, and their interactions were assessed. Dependent measures included changes in tissue oxygenation (DTSI) in the anterior deltoid and middle trapezius, peak resultant lumbar spine loading, and subjective discomfort in various body regions. A statistically significant reduction in DTSI between exoskeleton and control was only observed in one instance. Additionally, neither increases in spinal loading nor increases in subjective discomfort ratings were observed for any of the exoskeletons. Ultimately, the exoskeletons offered little to no physiological benefit for the conditions tested. However, the experimental task was not highly fatiguing to the subjects, denoted by low DTSI values across conditions. Results may vary for tasks requiring constant arm elevation or higher force demands. Practitioner summaryThis study quantified the benefits of upper-extremity exoskeletons using NIRS, complementary to prior studies using EMG. The exoskeletons offered little to no physiological benefit for the conditions tested. However, the experimental task was not highly fatiguing, and results may vary for an experimental task with greater demand on the shoulders.

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“…However, the requirement for the optimal selection and placement of the elastic element is an open research question. The longterm use of hand exoskeletons might cause muscle weakness [59,60], hence a study that could evaluate the long-term use of these devices on the human hand should be performed.…”

Section: 4(b)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and bio-mechanical evaluation of upper-body exoskeletons for physical assistance

Gull¹

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Effects of a passive upper extremity exoskeleton for overhead tasks

Cited by 48 publications

References 30 publications

Soft, Lightweight Wearable Robots to Support the Upper Limb in Activities of Daily Living: A Feasibility Study on Chronic Stroke Patients

Soft, Lightweight Wearable Robots to Support the Upper Limb in Activities of Daily Living: A Feasibility Study on Chronic Stroke Patients

A physiological and biomechanical investigation of three passive upper-extremity exoskeletons during simulated overhead work

Design and bio-mechanical evaluation of upper-body exoskeletons for physical assistance

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