title: A passive exoskeleton can push your life up: application on multiple sclerosis patients.
abstract: In the present study, we report the benefits of a passive and fully articulated exoskeleton on multiple sclerosis patients by means of behavioral and electrophysiological measures, paying particular attention to the prefrontal cortex activity. Multiple sclerosis is a neurological condition characterized by lesions of the myelin sheaths that encapsulate the neurons of the brain, spine and optic nerve, and it causes transient or progressive symptoms and impairments in gait and posture. Up to 50% of multiple sclerosis patients require walking aids and 10% are wheelchair-bound 15 years following the initial diagnosis. We tested the ability of a new orthosis, the "Human Body Posturizer", designed to improve the structural and functional symmetry of the body through proprioception, in multiple sclerosis patients. We observed that a single Human Body Posturizer application improved mobility, ambulation and response accuracy, in all of the tested patients. Most importantly, we associated these clinical observations and behavioral effects to changes in brain activity, particularly in the prefrontal cortex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Movement, Social and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy ; Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Russo
authors.forename: Marika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berchicci
authors.forename: Rinaldo Livio
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Perri
authors.forename: Francesca Romana
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Ripani
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ripani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011434:Proprioception; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*