Control strategies used in lower limb exoskeletons for gait rehabilitation after brain injury: a systematic review and analysis of clinical effectiveness.

Journal: Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation
PMID:

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In the past decade, there has been substantial progress in the development of robotic controllers that specify how lower-limb exoskeletons should interact with brain-injured patients. However, it is still an open question which exoskeleton control strategies can more effectively stimulate motor function recovery. In this review, we aim to complement previous literature surveys on the topic of exoskeleton control for gait rehabilitation by: (1) providing an updated structured framework of current control strategies, (2) analyzing the methodology of clinical validations used in the robotic interventions, and (3) reporting the potential relation between control strategies and clinical outcomes.

Authors

  • Jesús de Miguel-Fernández
    Biomechanical Engineering Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Research Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Diagonal 647, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Joan Lobo-Prat
  • Erik Prinsen
    Roessingh Research and Development, Roessinghsbleekweg 33b, 7522AH, Enschede, Netherlands.
  • Josep M Font-Llagunes
    Biomechanical Engineering Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Research Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Diagonal 647, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Laura Marchal-Crespo
    Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Sensory-Motor Systems (SMS) Lab, ETH Zurich, ML G 59, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland. laura.marchal@hest.ethz.ch.