Harvard’s robotic exoskeleton could improve walking and reduce falls in Parkinson’s patients

If you follow the world of robotic exoskeletons at all, you are undoubtedly aware of these two main categories. The first targets workers who perform strenuous or repetitive tasks, such as lifting and transporting packages. The second is assistive, mainly for people with limited mobility.

The latter category is generally the domain of soft robotic exoskeletons—those with fabric components designed to be more of an everyday assistive accessory. These systems are also increasingly focused on specific issues that impact people’s ability to travel. After all, not all mobility disorders are created equal.

For people with Parkinson’s disease, “freezing” is a common problem that affects the ability to walk and increases the likelihood of falls. This symptom causes people to lose their footing when walking, shortening their steps before coming to a complete stop,

Many attempts have been made to address this problem, from medications to physical therapy to surgery, but existing solutions have limited efficacy.

New research from a joint Harvard and Boston University team, published in the journal Nature Medicine, shows how soft robotic exoskeletons can solve this problem.

Wearable technology features sensors that detect motion and use algorithms to estimate a walker’s gait. Cable-driven actuators activate to assist mid-walking.

Conor Walsh, a professor at Harvard University, said: “We found in our research that our soft robotic garments require only minimal mechanical assistance to produce immediate results and continue to improve the performance of individuals across a variety of conditions. ability to walk.”

Researchers studied a 73-year-old man with Parkinson’s disease who suffered from freezing symptoms more than 10 times a day. During the six-month study, Walsh’s team was able to eliminate freezing when patients walked indoors. In turn, they are able to travel further and faster.

Harvard University noted: “The results were immediate. Without any special training, the patient was able to walk indoors without any freezing and only occasionally outside. He was also able to walk and talk without freezing. This is rare without equipment.”

Biodesign Labs designed an exoskeleton suit for stroke patients and later licensed it to startup ReWalk Robotics. If promising early results are any indication, the new technology may one day follow in its footsteps toward commercialization.