Clinical utility of the over-ground bodyweight-supporting walking system Andago in children and youths with gait impairments
Clinical utility of the over-ground bodyweight-supporting walking system Andago in children and youths with gait impairments
- New search for: van Hedel, Hubertus J A
- New search for: Rosselli, Irene
- New search for: Baumgartner-Ricklin, Sandra
- New search for: van Hedel, Hubertus J A
- New search for: Rosselli, Irene
- New search for: Baumgartner-Ricklin, Sandra
Background The Andago is a rehabilitation robot that allows training walking over-ground while providing bodyweight unloading (BWU). We investigated the practicability, acceptability, and appropriateness of the device in children with gait impairments undergoing neurorehabilitation. Concerning appropriateness, we investigated whether (i) stride-to-stride variability of the stride time and inter-joint coordination was higher when walking over-ground in Andago versus treadmill walking, and (ii) activation of antigravity leg muscles decreased with higher levels of BWU. Methods Eighteen children and adolescents with gait impairments participated in three sessions. Practicability was assessed by determining the time needed to get a patient in and out of Andago, the accuracy of the BWU system, and other aspects. Acceptability was assessed by patients responding to questions, while six therapists filled out the System Usability Scale. To determine appropriateness, the participants were equipped with surface electromyography (sEMG) electrodes, electrogoniometers and accelerometers. Various parameters were compared between walking over-ground and on a treadmill, and between walking with three different levels of BWU (median: 20%, 35% and 50% of the bodyweight) over-ground. Result Practicability: the average time needed to get in and out of Andago amounted to 60 s and 16 s, respectively. The BWU system seemed accurate, especially at higher levels. We experienced no technical difficulties and Andago prevented 12 falls. However, participants had difficulties walking through a door without bumping into it. Acceptability: after the second session, nine participants felt safer walking in Andago compared to normal walking, 15 preferred walking in Andago compared to treadmill walking, and all wanted to train again with Andago. Therapists rated the usability of the Andago as excellent. Appropriateness: stride-to-stride variability of stride duration and inter-joint coordination was higher in Andago compared to treadmill walking. ...
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Clinical utility of the over-ground bodyweight-supporting walking system Andago in children and youths with gait impairments
2021-12-01
van Hedel, Hubertus J A; Rosselli, Irene; Baumgartner-Ricklin, Sandra (2021). Clinical utility of the over-ground bodyweight-supporting walking system Andago in children and youths with gait impairments. Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation (JNER), 18:29.
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
| DDC: | 629 |
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