Robotic Rehabilitation in Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study on End-Effectors and Neurophysiological Outcomes

Calabrò, Rocco Salvatore; Filoni, Serena; Billeri, Luana; Balletta, Tina; Cannavó, Antonino; Militi, Angela; Milardi, Demetrio; Pignolo, Loris; Naro, Antonino

doi:10.1007/s10439-020-02611-z

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Thirty-three (33) athletes met these criteria and were recruited for the study. The sample size was a convenience one, but it was in line with previous studies concerning biofeedback and robotic interventions [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Moreover, G. Power post hoc calculations for the ANOVA that was performed indicated a statistical power of 96%, provided a minimum effect size of 0.3 (as given by eta square).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 94%

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Real-Time Muscle Activity and Joint Range of Motion Monitor to Improve Shoulder Pain Rehabilitation in Wheelchair Basketball Players: A Non-Randomized Clinical Study

Farì

Megna

Fiore

et al. 2022

Clinics and Practice

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Wheelchair basketball (WB) involves sports gestures that expose the shoulder to high biomechanical stress and frequently lead to shoulder pain (SP). Due to their physical peculiarities and sporting performance, these athletes require specific rehabilitation programs that are as fast, personalized and effective as possible. However, there are few studies specifically dedicated to these purposes. Surface electromyography (sEMG) seems a promising tool for better customization and achieving more targeted rehabilitation results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of sEMG to monitor SP rehabilitation outcomes in WB players. Thirty-three athletes were enrolled in this non-randomized clinical study and divided into two groups. Both groups underwent a shoulder rehabilitation protocol, but only the experimental group was monitored in real time with sEMG on the shoulders. At enrollment (T0), at the end of 4 weeks of the rehabilitation program (T1), and 8 weeks after T1 (T2), the following outcome measures were collected: Wheelchair User’s Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI), 20 m straight line test, shoulder abduction range of motion (ROM). There was a statistically significant difference for WUSPI and ROM scores in the comparison between groups (p < 0.001), and for all outcomes in the comparison between times and in the interaction between time and group (p < 0.001). Therefore, the experimental group showed a better improvement at all detection times compared to the control group. sEMG seems a useful tool for improving the monitoring of SP rehabilitation outcomes in WB players. This monitoring speeds up and improves the rehabilitative results, limiting the risk of sport abandonment and increasing the possibility for people with disabilities to quickly return to practice physical activity.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…In this sense, sEMG could represent a great opportunity to refine the assessments available to rehabilitators. It is a safe and valid tool that is potentially capable of improving and accelerating the results of rehabilitation treatments, since it guarantees the real-time monitoring of muscle activity and joint range of motion [ 15 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Real-Time Muscle Activity and Joint Range of Motion Monitor to Improve Shoulder Pain Rehabilitation in Wheelchair Basketball Players: A Non-Randomized Clinical Study

Farì

Megna

Fiore

et al. 2022

Clinics and Practice

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“…Additionally, some studies have underlined the importance of robotic training (especially when coupled to virtual reality) in boosting both motor and cognitive outcomes and processing speed, with a positive perception of patients' performance, as compared to traditional training [5,[34][35][36][37].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can powered exoskeletons improve gait and balance in multiple sclerosis? A retrospective study

Russo

Maggio

Naro

et al. 2021

International Journal of Rehabilitation Research

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurologic disorder that can profoundly influence mobility, independence and quality of life. Gait dysfunction in MS is common, resulting in an increased risk of losing walking ability. Robotic exoskeletons have been developed to offer a new form of locomotor training. The aim of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of the powered exoskeleton (Ekso) in improving gait and balance in patients affected by MS. Twenty patients with MS (mean ± SD: age = 43.7 ± 10.3 years; 66.7% male) were enrolled in this retrospective study. They were divided into two groups, matched for demographic data (age and sex) and medical characteristics (disease duration and Expanded Disability Status Scale), but differing for the type of rehabilitation training performed. Group 1 [experimental group (EG)] received gait training with the Ekso device, whereas group 2 (control group) performed traditional gait training. Although both trainings led to a significant improvement in the ability to walk and balance, only in the EG a significant improvement in walking speed (10 Meter Walk test; P = 0.002), in person’s mobility (Timed Up and Go test; P = 0.002), and in the perception of mental well-being (MSQoL-M; P = 0.004), with a good usability and acceptance of the device, was found. Powered exoskeletons could be considered a valuable tool to improve functional outcomes and get the therapeutic goal in patients with MS.

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“…In our study, we included 30 adults admitted to the inpatient neurological rehabilitation unit. The sample size was decided based on previous pilot studies concerning biofeedback and/or robotic interventions [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Each participant was recruited with informed consent to participate in the study.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of an EMG-Rehabilitation Robot in Patients with Post-Coronavirus Fatigue Syndrome (COVID-19)—A Feasibility Study

Zasadzka

Tobis

Trzmiel

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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This pilot study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of an EMG-driven rehabilitation robot in patients with Post-Viral Fatigue (PVF) syndrome after COVID-19. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups (IG—intervention group and CG—control group) in an inpatient neurological rehabilitation unit. Both groups were assessed on admission and after six weeks of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation was carried out six days a week for six weeks. The patients in the IG performed additional training using an EMG rehabilitation robot. Muscle fatigue was assessed using an EMG rehabilitation robot; secondary outcomes were changes in hand grip strength, Fatigue Assessment Scale, and functional assessment scales (Functional Independence Measure, Barthel Index). Both groups improved in terms of the majority of measured parameters comparing pre- and post-intervention results, except muscle fatigue. Muscle fatigue scores presented non-significant improvement in the IG and non-significant deterioration in the CG. Using an EMG rehabilitation robot in patients with PVF can be feasible and safe. To ascertain the effectiveness of such interventions, more studies are needed, particularly involving a larger sample and also assessing the participants’ cognitive performance.

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Robotic Rehabilitation in Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study on End-Effectors and Neurophysiological Outcomes

Cited by 13 publications

References 57 publications

Real-Time Muscle Activity and Joint Range of Motion Monitor to Improve Shoulder Pain Rehabilitation in Wheelchair Basketball Players: A Non-Randomized Clinical Study

Real-Time Muscle Activity and Joint Range of Motion Monitor to Improve Shoulder Pain Rehabilitation in Wheelchair Basketball Players: A Non-Randomized Clinical Study

Can powered exoskeletons improve gait and balance in multiple sclerosis? A retrospective study

Application of an EMG-Rehabilitation Robot in Patients with Post-Coronavirus Fatigue Syndrome (COVID-19)—A Feasibility Study

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