Robotic Exoskeleton Gait Training for Inpatient Rehabilitation in a Young Adult with Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Severe and moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes motor deficits leading to impairments in functional ambulation. Motor recovery involves intensive rehabilitation through physical therapy. Current practices in rehabilitation results in variable recovery of motor function and may result in residual gait deviations. Wearable robotic exoskeletons can provide the user with intensive, goal-directed repetition of movement as well as provide the user with stability and balance during gait, compared to conventional physical therapy. During the acute stage of recovery, the brain is healing and relearning and increased intensive motor rehabilitation throughout this stage could result in improved functional ambulation, especially in individuals with severe impairments who are not independent ambulators. This pilot study evaluates the effect of early intervention robotic exoskeleton gait training on lower extremity biomechanics on a 21 year old young adult with TBI.