The Acute Effects of a Robotic Exoskeleton Leg Orthosis on Balance, Gait, and Sit to Stand Function as well as Technology Usage Attitude Among Older Adults

Biomedical interventions that focus on limiting the effects of aging such as the decreased ability to quickly and safely sit and stand, as well as decreased balance and the ability to ambulate have become an important medical option for these public health concerns among the elderly.The use of robotic prosthetics with older adults may help eliminate the deleterious effects of aging that increase fall risk by changing the delineation of energy to different functional activities and increasing muscle strength.This study aimed to evaluate the acute therapeutic effects of a robotic exoskeleton dynamic orthosis, on participant's functional movement, as well as approach and attitude towards biotechnology among the older adult population.Six assisted living older adult residents received unilateral robotic exoskeleton assisted therapy.Knee range of motion and baseline vitals including heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation (SaO2%) were measured as well as standing, balance, and walking variables with and without the robotic exoskeleton.Biokinetic analysis software was used to describe talocrual, knee, and hip joint angles and identify movement limitations or alterations caused by the robotic exoskeleton.A technology usage and attitudes survey was administered before and after functional training and testing with the robotic exoskeleton.Mean balance scores without any robotic intervention and with 30% and 65% robotic assistance improved but were not statistically significant.Technology usage and attitudes survey mean scores for the preand post-robotic exoskeleton experience were unchanged.Mean HR, BP, respiration, and SaO2% remained statistically steady (P<0.05)throughout.Slight limitations were found in allowable biomechanical joint angles with the unit.The results suggest that a robotic exoskeleton dynamic orthosis may be helpful in the elderly with sit-to-stand, balance, and gait without being physiologically overtaxing, as well as being perceived by the elderly as nonthreatening regarding biotechnology.