Mobility and Cognitive Improvements Resulted from Overground Robotic Exoskeleton Gait-Training in Persons with MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a non-traumatic, immune-mediated neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS), affecting more than 2 million individuals globally and approximately one million in the United States [1], [2]. This autoimmune inflammatory disease of the CNS featuring both neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative aspects [3], often results in mobility and cognitive impairment. Rehabilitation has been suggested as the best [4], and perhaps, one of few methods for restoring function in MS [5]. The goal of the present investigation is to examine the effects of 4 weeks of supervised, over-ground gait training using a robotic exoskeleton (RE) compared with a control condition (conventional gait therapy, CGT) in persons with MS with ambulatory and cognition disabilities. Four subjects (mean age=50 years, three females) with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) participated in this study and completed a total of eight sessions (1-hour/session) gait training in a standard therapy gym either using a RE supervised by an RE training physical therapist (PT) or with the CGT supervised by a PT. Outcome measures (walking speed and temporal-spatial parameters) were measured on a level surface without RE using an instrumented walkway, for both groups, pre- and post-intervention. The two participants in the RE group were also tested in the same testing environment, while wearing a RE pre- and post-intervention. Cognitive processing speed was assessed using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) pre- and post-intervention. Subjects in the RE group tested without a RE increased average walking speed, stride length, and step length with decreased stride width and step time bilaterally after the 8-session of RE training. The two participants in the CGT group only had modest improvements in walking performance. Furthermore, while the CGT group had no improvements in the processing speed (SDMT scores), an average of 80% improvement in the processing speed was noted in the RE group.