Weight compensation characteristics of Armeo®Spring exoskeleton: implications for clinical practice and research.
Bonnie E Perry, Emily K Evans, Dobrivoje S Stokic
PMID 28212673WHAT IT FOUND
Spring tension and module length change how much the Armeo Spring unloads or loads the arm.
Shorter modules give greater weight compensation. Therapists can use these properties to match settings to arm weight and task goals.
Key findings
01The exoskeleton balance angle increased by 14 degrees per spring setting increment, and weight compensation changed less per degree at longer module length.
02The slack angle rose by 10 degrees per spring setting from A to G, with two exceptions.
03Immediately above the slack angle, the exoskeleton weight of 3.59 kg was imposed.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The reported results largely pertain to the upper spring and module settings. The lower spring and module settings had a much smaller overall impact. Only four module length settings were examined. Arm weight was not measured directly. The study measured device mechanics, not patient outcomes.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these measurements as evidence that the Armeo Spring improves patient recovery. The study measured static forces on a load cell and did not test people or clinical outcomes.