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Exoskeleton Assistance Symmetry Matters: Unilateral Assistance Reduces Metabolic Cost, But Relatively Less Than Bilateral Assistance, Philippe Malcolm, Samuel Galle, Pieter Van Den Berghe, Dirk De Clercq
Exoskeleton Assistance Symmetry Matters: Unilateral Assistance Reduces Metabolic Cost, But Relatively Less Than Bilateral Assistance, Philippe Malcolm, Samuel Galle, Pieter Van Den Berghe, Dirk De Clercq
Journal Articles
Background: Many gait impairments are characterized by asymmetry and result in reduced mobility. Exoskeletons could be useful for restoring gait symmetry by assisting only one leg. However, we still have limited understanding of the effects of unilateral exoskeleton assistance. Our aim was to compare the effects of unilateral and bilateral assistance using a within-subject study design.
Methods: Eleven participants walked in different exoskeleton conditions. In the Unilateral conditions, only one leg was assisted. In Bilateral Matched Total Work, half of the assistance from the Unilateral conditions was applied to both legs such that the bilateral sum was equal …