A new modular neuroprosthesis suitable for hybrid FES-robot applications and tailored assistance.
Javier Gil-Castillo, Diana Herrera-Valenzuela, Diego Torricelli and 6 others
PMID 39232831WHAT IT FOUND
A new modular FES system worked in four people with stroke or spinal cord injury, but kinematic changes varied.
Removing gastrocnemius stimulation improved dorsiflexion in one case. This is a device test, not proof of clinical benefit.
Key findings
01In one participant with spinal cord injury, removing gastrocnemius stimulation from the configuration improved dorsiflexion at heel contact, although it reduced plantarflexion at toe-off.
02The system was successfully integrated with a knee-powered exoskeleton, but the hybrid configuration showed no significant kinematic changes compared to unassisted walking in one stroke participant.
03The authors state the study was a pilot evaluation of the system's versatility and personalization capacity, not an analysis of clinical benefits.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Very small sample size (four participants), so results cannot be generalized. The study used open-loop control, which does not adapt to muscle fatigue or real-time changes in movement. The authors explicitly state they did not intend to analyze clinical benefits, only technical functionality. Calibration remains a complex, subjective process. The hybrid system required two separate interfaces for control, which is not yet streamlined for clinical use.
Declared interests
Funded by Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC). No specific conflicts of interest declared by the authors in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the kinematic changes in these four individuals as evidence that this specific FES configuration will improve gait for your patients. The study was a technical pilot to test device versatility, not a clinical trial of efficacy, and results varied significantly between participants.