Institute for Rehabilitation and Performance Technology, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Burgdorf, Switzerland.
Paediatric Rehab Research Group, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland.
Technol Health Care. 2022;30(5):1183-1197. doi: 10.3233/THC-213629.
The use of robotic technology for neurorehabilitative applications has become increasingly important for adults and children with different motor impairments.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility and usability of a new interactive leg-press training robot that was developed to train leg muscle strength and control, suitable for children with neuromuscular impairments.
An interactive robotic training system was designed and constructed with various control strategies, actuators and force/position sensors to enable the performance of different training modes (passive, active resistance, and exergames). Five paediatric patients, aged between 7 and 16 years (one girl, age 13.0 ± 3.7 years, [mean ± SD]), with different neuromuscular impairments were recruited to participate in this study. Patients evaluated the device based on a user satisfaction questionnaire and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, and therapists evaluated the device with the modified System Usability Scale (SUS).
One patient could not perform the training session because of his small knee range of motion. Visual Analog Scale scores were given by the 4 patients who performed the training sessions. All the patients adjudged the training with the interactive device as satisfactory. The average SUS score given by the therapists was 61.2 ± 18.4.
This study proposed an interactive lower limb training device for children with different neuromuscular impairments. The device is deemed feasible for paediatric rehabilitation applications, both in terms of technical feasibility and usability acceptance. Both patients and therapists provided positive feedback regarding the training with the device.
机器人技术在神经康复应用中的使用对于不同运动障碍的成人和儿童变得越来越重要。
本研究旨在评估一种新的交互式腿部按压训练机器人的技术可行性和可用性，该机器人旨在训练腿部肌肉力量和控制，适用于患有神经肌肉障碍的儿童。
设计并构建了一个交互式机器人训练系统，具有各种控制策略、执行器和力/位置传感器，以实现不同的训练模式（被动、主动阻力和外骨骼游戏）。招募了 5 名年龄在 7 至 16 岁之间（1 名女孩，年龄 13.0±3.7 岁）患有不同神经肌肉障碍的儿科患者参与本研究。患者根据用户满意度问卷和视觉模拟量表 (VAS) 评分评估设备，治疗师则使用改良后的系统可用性量表 (SUS) 评估设备。
一名患者由于膝关节活动范围小而无法进行训练。进行了训练的 4 名患者给出了 VAS 评分。所有患者都认为使用交互式设备进行训练是令人满意的。治疗师给出的平均 SUS 评分为 61.2±18.4。
本研究提出了一种用于患有不同神经肌肉障碍的儿童的交互式下肢训练设备。该设备在技术可行性和可用性接受方面都被认为适用于儿科康复应用。患者和治疗师都对设备训练提供了积极的反馈。
