Exoskeleton technology for Rehabilitation
The advancement of scientific robotic technology is helping physiotherapists aid their client’s physical rehabilitation. Lower extremity rehabilitation, particularly for walking recovery after neurological injury, can require critical time and actual exertion concerning physiotherapists. Mechanical gadgets intended for lower extremity rehabilitation, fuelled orthoses with computer-controlled engines to help joint development, can help build the remedial development.
Exoskeletons are wearable machines that improve the capacities of individuals who use them. An exoskeleton contains an edge that circumvents a client’s body or part of the client’s body. The casing is sometimes made out of a rigid material, like metal. A few exoskeletons contain sensors, which screen and respond to the clients’ developments.
How does it work?
Exoskeleton takes the weight off clients’ arms off their necks, backs, and shoulders and moves it to their core. Your energy is more equitably dispersed, which diminishes strain and weight on the muscles and joints.
Primary Purpose of Using Exoskeleton:
The essential applications for exoskeleton robots in the present market centre around restoration administrations in the clinical field, preparing muscle developments and aiding injury recovery in a more precise and proficient manner than was beforehand conceivable.
Upper extremity exoskeletons provide support to the upper body, including the arms, shoulders, and torso.
Lower extremity exoskeletons provide support to the legs, hips, and lower torso.
What is an exoskeleton used for?
Predominantly used to re-establish or work on an individuals’ capacity to walk or lift. Exoskeletons help bodyweight, coordination, lifting and balance. Numerous exoskeleton frameworks help the arms, upper, and lower body. Others are just chest area frameworks, while some assist the hands with gripping.
Benefits of Using Exoskeleton:
Using an exoskeleton will permit spinal line injury patients to build their portability and move, in any case, incapacitated spaces of their bodies. This will improve circulation, which is fundamental for guaranteeing that blood is proficiently delivered all through the body and filling cell movement.
Recovery exoskeleton facilitates works with and upholds the development of body parts. They are additionally helpful in recovery, preparing and treatment. The utilisation of exoskeleton in restoration can help numerous patients’ populaces, including:
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Stroke
- Cerebral Palsy
- Parkinson’s
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Long-term use of lower extremity exoskeleton can lead to:
- Increased strength in lower-extremity
- Improved posture
- Increase in bone density
- Improved bowel movements
- Improved sleep
- Decreased pain
- Decreased cholesterol
- Decreased spasticity
- Reduced rate of cardiovascular disease
- Decreased rate of diabetes
As recovery exoskeleton technology propels, it can change the way that physiotherapists convey treatment to patients. A definitive objective is for physiotherapists to have the option to utilize advanced mechanics to help their training by expanding the viability of their evaluation and treatment. Since the interest for physiotherapists and long-haul restoration is rising, one of the fundamental objectives of current robotic exoskeleton improvement is to match data innovation with advanced recovery mechanics.
References:
Levitate, A. (2019, May 6). How does the airframe™ work? Levitate. Retrieved October 16, 2021, from https://www.levitatetech.com/2018/01/28/how-do-exoskeletons-work/.
Read, E., Woolsey, C., McGibbon, C. A., & O’Connell, C. (2020, January 8). Physiotherapists’ experiences using the ekso bionic exoskeleton with patients in a neurological rehabilitation hospital: A qualitative study. Rehabilitation Research and Practice. Retrieved October 16, 2021, from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/rerp/2020/2939573/.
Zabel, S., Lockhart , Z., Badiani, N., Cornish, J., Falzon, L., Flis, A., Patterson, K., Gregor, S., & Graham, J. V. (2020, September 15). Physiotherapy students’ perspectives on the use and implementation of exoskeletons as a rehabilitative technology in clinical settings. Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology. Retrieved October 16, 2021, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32928001/.
* Contact Reach Physiotherapy for a list of references used for this blog content.
