Effects of Robotic Exoskeleton Gait Training on an Adolescent with Brain Injury

Abstract

Brain injury is one of the leading causes of motor deficits in children and adults, and it often results in motor control and balance impairments. Motor deficits include decreased walking speed, increased double support time, increased temporal and spatial asymmetry, and decreased control and coordination; leading to compromised functional ambulation and reduced quality of life. Robotic exoskeletons for motor rehabilitation can provide the user with consistent, symmetrical, goal-directed repetition of movement as well as balance and stability. The goal of this case study was to evaluate the efficacy of high dose robotic training on dynamic gait using functional and neuromechanical outcome measures in an adolescent with chronic brain injury. The results from this study demonstrated improved spatial symmetry, swing time, stance time, step length and an overall progression towards healthy bilateral loading. These preliminary results suggest that high dose, repetitive, consistent gait training using robotic exoskeletons has the potential to induce recovery of function in adolescents diagnosed with brain injury.