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Cumplido-Trasmonte C, Barquín-Santos E, Gor-García-Fogeda MD, Plaza-Flores A, García-Varela D, Ibáñez-Herrán L, González-Alted C, Díaz-Valles P, López-Pascua C, Castrillo-Calvillo A, Molina-Rueda F, Fernandez R, Garcia-Armada E. STELO: A New Modular Robotic Gait Device for Acquired Brain Injury-Exploring Its Usability. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 24:198. [PMID: 38203060 PMCID: PMC10781374 DOI: 10.3390/s24010198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, the prevalence of acquired brain injury (ABI) has been on the rise, leading to impaired gait functionality in affected individuals. Traditional gait exoskeletons are typically rigid and bilateral and lack adaptability. To address this, the STELO, a pioneering modular gait-assistive device, was developed. This device can be externally configured with joint modules to cater to the diverse impairments of each patient, aiming to enhance adaptability and efficiency. This study aims to assess the safety and usability of the initial functional modular prototype, STELO, in a sample of 14 ABI-diagnosed participants. Adverse events, device adjustment assistance and time, and gait performance were evaluated during three sessions of device use. The results revealed that STELO was safe, with no serious adverse events reported. The need for assistance and time required for device adjustment decreased progressively over the sessions. Although there was no significant improvement in walking speed observed after three sessions of using STELO, participants and therapists reported satisfactory levels of comfort and usability in questionnaires. Overall, this study demonstrates that the STELO modular device offers a safe and adaptable solution for individuals with ABI, with positive user and therapist feedback.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cumplido-Trasmonte
- International Doctoral School, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain;
- Marsi Bionics SL, 28521 Madrid, Spain; (E.B.-S.); (A.P.-F.); (D.G.-V.); (L.I.-H.); (E.G.-A.)
| | - Eva Barquín-Santos
- Marsi Bionics SL, 28521 Madrid, Spain; (E.B.-S.); (A.P.-F.); (D.G.-V.); (L.I.-H.); (E.G.-A.)
| | - María Dolores Gor-García-Fogeda
- Marsi Bionics SL, 28521 Madrid, Spain; (E.B.-S.); (A.P.-F.); (D.G.-V.); (L.I.-H.); (E.G.-A.)
- Department of Physical Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Alberto Plaza-Flores
- Marsi Bionics SL, 28521 Madrid, Spain; (E.B.-S.); (A.P.-F.); (D.G.-V.); (L.I.-H.); (E.G.-A.)
| | - David García-Varela
- Marsi Bionics SL, 28521 Madrid, Spain; (E.B.-S.); (A.P.-F.); (D.G.-V.); (L.I.-H.); (E.G.-A.)
| | - Leticia Ibáñez-Herrán
- Marsi Bionics SL, 28521 Madrid, Spain; (E.B.-S.); (A.P.-F.); (D.G.-V.); (L.I.-H.); (E.G.-A.)
| | - Carlos González-Alted
- Spanish National Reference Centre for Brain Injury (CEADAC), 28034 Madrid, Spain; (C.G.-A.); (P.D.-V.)
| | - Paola Díaz-Valles
- Spanish National Reference Centre for Brain Injury (CEADAC), 28034 Madrid, Spain; (C.G.-A.); (P.D.-V.)
| | | | | | - Francisco Molina-Rueda
- Department of Physical Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Roemi Fernandez
- Centre for Automation and Robotics (CAR), CSIC-UPM, Ctra. Campo Real km 0.2–La Poveda-Arganda del Rey, 28500 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Garcia-Armada
- Marsi Bionics SL, 28521 Madrid, Spain; (E.B.-S.); (A.P.-F.); (D.G.-V.); (L.I.-H.); (E.G.-A.)
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