Impact of a shoulder exosuit on range of motion, endurance, and task execution in users with neurological impairments
The Myoshirt, an active exosuit, provides gravity compensation for the shoulders. This study evaluated the impact of the Myoshirt on range of motion (ROM), endurance, and activities of daily living (ADLs) performance through tests involving nine participants with varying levels of arm impairments an...
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Cambridge University Press
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Wearable Technologies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2631717625100248/type/journal_article |
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| author | Adrian Esser Fabian Müller Julia Manczurowsky Christopher J. Hasson Tim Unger Chris Easthope Awai Peter Wolf Robert Riener |
| author_facet | Adrian Esser Fabian Müller Julia Manczurowsky Christopher J. Hasson Tim Unger Chris Easthope Awai Peter Wolf Robert Riener |
| author_sort | Adrian Esser |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Myoshirt, an active exosuit, provides gravity compensation for the shoulders. This study evaluated the impact of the Myoshirt on range of motion (ROM), endurance, and activities of daily living (ADLs) performance through tests involving nine participants with varying levels of arm impairments and diverse pathologies. Optical motion capture was used to quantify ROM of the shoulder and elbow joints during isolated movements and functional tasks. Endurance was quantified through a timed isometric shoulder flexion task, and a battery of ADL tasks was used to measure the perceived support of the exosuit, along with changes in movement quality. Feedback and usability insights were gathered with surveys. The Myoshirt did not significantly improve ROM during isolated movements (shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction, and elbow flexion/extension), but during the reaching phase of a functional drinking task elbow extension increased significantly by 13.5% (t = 7.52, p = .002). Participants could also keep their arms elevated 78.7% longer (t = 1.942, p = .047). Patients also reported less perceived difficulty with ADLs while using the device, and a therapist reported improved execution quality. Participants who self-reported severe impairment levels tended to derive greater benefits compared to those with milder impairments. These findings highlight the potential of the Myoshirt as an assistive device, particularly for individuals with severe impairments, while emphasizing the need for further refinement. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-01c55c5dbdbe4f828057ccdc0d4d2c69 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2631-7176 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Wearable Technologies |
| spelling | doaj-art-01c55c5dbdbe4f828057ccdc0d4d2c692025-08-20T03:40:41ZengCambridge University PressWearable Technologies2631-71762025-01-01610.1017/wtc.2025.10024Impact of a shoulder exosuit on range of motion, endurance, and task execution in users with neurological impairmentsAdrian Esser0https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6191-3801Fabian Müller1Julia Manczurowsky2Christopher J. Hasson3Tim Unger4Chris Easthope Awai5Peter Wolf6Robert Riener7Sensory Motor Systems Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, SwitzerlandSensory Motor Systems Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, SwitzerlandDepartment of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Science, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USADepartment of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Science, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA Institute for Experiential Robotics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USARehabilitation Engineering Laboratory (RELab), Zürich, Switzerland Data Analytics and Rehabilitation Technology (DART), Lake Lucerne Institute, Vitznau, Luzern, SwitzerlandData Analytics and Rehabilitation Technology (DART), Lake Lucerne Institute, Vitznau, Luzern, SwitzerlandSensory Motor Systems Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, SwitzerlandSensory Motor Systems Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zürich, SwitzerlandThe Myoshirt, an active exosuit, provides gravity compensation for the shoulders. This study evaluated the impact of the Myoshirt on range of motion (ROM), endurance, and activities of daily living (ADLs) performance through tests involving nine participants with varying levels of arm impairments and diverse pathologies. Optical motion capture was used to quantify ROM of the shoulder and elbow joints during isolated movements and functional tasks. Endurance was quantified through a timed isometric shoulder flexion task, and a battery of ADL tasks was used to measure the perceived support of the exosuit, along with changes in movement quality. Feedback and usability insights were gathered with surveys. The Myoshirt did not significantly improve ROM during isolated movements (shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction, and elbow flexion/extension), but during the reaching phase of a functional drinking task elbow extension increased significantly by 13.5% (t = 7.52, p = .002). Participants could also keep their arms elevated 78.7% longer (t = 1.942, p = .047). Patients also reported less perceived difficulty with ADLs while using the device, and a therapist reported improved execution quality. Participants who self-reported severe impairment levels tended to derive greater benefits compared to those with milder impairments. These findings highlight the potential of the Myoshirt as an assistive device, particularly for individuals with severe impairments, while emphasizing the need for further refinement.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2631717625100248/type/journal_articleactivities of daily livingassistanceexosuitneurorehabilitationtherapywearable technology |
| spellingShingle | Adrian Esser Fabian Müller Julia Manczurowsky Christopher J. Hasson Tim Unger Chris Easthope Awai Peter Wolf Robert Riener Impact of a shoulder exosuit on range of motion, endurance, and task execution in users with neurological impairments Wearable Technologies activities of daily living assistance exosuit neurorehabilitation therapy wearable technology |
| title | Impact of a shoulder exosuit on range of motion, endurance, and task execution in users with neurological impairments |
| title_full | Impact of a shoulder exosuit on range of motion, endurance, and task execution in users with neurological impairments |
| title_fullStr | Impact of a shoulder exosuit on range of motion, endurance, and task execution in users with neurological impairments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of a shoulder exosuit on range of motion, endurance, and task execution in users with neurological impairments |
| title_short | Impact of a shoulder exosuit on range of motion, endurance, and task execution in users with neurological impairments |
| title_sort | impact of a shoulder exosuit on range of motion endurance and task execution in users with neurological impairments |
| topic | activities of daily living assistance exosuit neurorehabilitation therapy wearable technology |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2631717625100248/type/journal_article |
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