Awad LN, et al. – This investigation ascertained if a soft wearable robot (exosuit) designed to supplement the paretic limb’s residual ability to generate both forward propulsion and ground clearance enabled an improved normal walking after stroke. The data brought to light the fact that a considerably low assistance (∼12% of biological torques) delivered with a lightweight and nonrestrictive exosuit appeared to be adequate enough to facilitate more normal walking in ambulatory individuals after stroke. The comprehension of how exosuit–induced improvements in walking performance could be leveraged to improve mobility after stroke warranted additional research.

Methods

• Exosuits were found to transmit mechanical power generated by actuators to a wearer through the interaction of garment-like, functional textile anchors and cable-based transmissions.
• The immediate effects of an exosuit actively assisting the paretic limb of individuals in the chronic phase of stroke recovery were examined during treadmill and overground walking.

Results

• With the aid of controlled, treadmill-based biomechanical analysis, it was illustrated that exosuits could function in synchrony with a wearer’s paretic limb.
• It enabled an immediate 5.33 ± 0.91° increase in the paretic ankle’s swing phase dorsiflexion and 11 ± 3% increase in the paretic limb’s generation of forward propulsion (P < 0.05).
• These improvements contributed to a 20 ± 4% reduction in forward propulsion interlimb asymmetry and a 10 ± 3% reduction in the energy cost of walking.
• It was found to be equivalent to a 32 ± 9% reduction in the metabolic burden related with poststroke walking.