Soft robotic exosuits can facilitate immediate increases in short- and long-distance walking speeds. We sought to assess the feasibility and rehabilitative potential of applying propulsion-augmenting exosuits as part of an individualized and progressive training program to retrain faster walking and the underlying propulsive strategy. A 54-yr old male with chronic hemiparesis completed 5 daily sessions of Robotic Exosuit Augmented Locomotion (REAL) gait training. Repeated baseline assessments of comfortable walking speed over a 2-year period provided a stable baseline from which the effects of REAL training could be elucidated. REAL training consists of high-intensity, task-specific, and progressively challenging walking practice augmented by a soft robotic exosuit and is designed to facilitate faster walking by way of increased paretic propulsion. Additional outcomes included paretic propulsion, maximum walking speed, and 6-minute walk test distance. Comfortable walking speed was stable at 0.96 m/s prior to training and increased by 0.30 m/s after training. Clinically meaningful increases in maximum walking speed (∆: 0.30 m/s) and 6-minute walk test distance (∆: 59 m) were similarly observed. Improvements in paretic peak propulsion (∆: 2.80 %BW), propulsive power (∆: 0.41 W/kg), and trailing limb angle (∆: 6.2 degrees) were observed at comfortable walking speed (p's < 0.05). Likewise, improvements in paretic peak propulsion (∆: 4.63 %BW) and trailing limb angle (∆: 4.30 degrees) were observed at maximum walking speed (p's < 0.05). The REAL training program is feasible to implement after stroke and capable of facilitating rapid and meaningful improvements in paretic propulsion, walking speed, and walking distance.

中文翻译：

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用柔软的机器人外装瞄准麻痹推进力和步行速度：概念性试验

软机器人外装可以促进短距离和长距离步行速度的立即增加。我们试图评估将推进力增强外装作为个性化和渐进式训练计划的一部分，以重新训练更快的步行和潜在的推进策略的可行性和康复潜力。一名患有慢性偏瘫的 54 岁男性完成了每天 5 次的机器人外装增强运动 (REAL) 步态训练。2 年期间对舒适步行速度的重复基线评估提供了一个稳定的基线，从中可以阐明真实训练的效果。真正的训练包括高强度的、针对特定任务的、逐渐具有挑战性的步行练习由柔软的机器人外装增强，旨在通过增加麻痹推进力来促进更快的步行。其他结果包括麻痹推进、最大步行速度和 6 分钟步行测试距离。舒适步行速度训练前稳定在0.96 m/s，训练后增加0.30 m/s。类似地观察到最大步行速度 (Δ: 0.30 m/s) 和 6 分钟步行测试距离 (Δ: 59 m) 的临床意义增加。在舒适的步行速度下观察到麻痹峰值推进力 (Δ: 2.80 %BW)、推进功率 (Δ: 0.41 W/kg) 和后肢角度 (Δ: 6.2 度) 的改善 (p's < 0.05)。同样，麻痹峰值推进力 (Δ: 4.63 %BW) 和后肢角 (Δ: 4. 30 度）在最大步行速度下观察到（p < 0.05）。REAL 训练计划在中风后实施是可行的，并且能够促进麻痹推进力、步行速度和步行距离的快速和有意义的改善。