The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder that affects about one million people in the United States. The disease results from an abnormal immune response where T cells damage the myelin sheath in the central nervous system, causing scarring. The lesions can occur in any part of the brain or spinal cord, and thus affects every patient differently. One of the most detrimental effects the disease has on patients’ lives is the decreased ability to walk. There has been research and treatments to manage pain and slow progression of the disease, but little progress has been made to enable MS patients to walk more comfortably. Previously, there have been gait training devices in use. However, many require intensive manual labor which causes the patient and the physical therapist to fatigue easily. Recently, Ekso, a self-supporting robotic exoskeleton, designed for patients with spinal cord damage, has been shown to improve gait and overall quality of life in patients with MS.
Recommended Citation
Weinberg, C. (2021). Can Robotic Exoskeletons Improve Gait in MS Patients?. The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences, 15(1), 58-62. Retrieved from https://touroscholar.touro.edu/sjlcas/vol15/iss1/11
