Preliminary training volume and progression algorithm to tackle fragility fracture risk during exoskeleton-assisted overground walking in individuals with a chronic spinal cord injury
| Résumé | In individuals with chronic complete spinal cord injury, reduced lower-limb weight-bearing due to long-term manual wheelchair use, as well as neurological and vascular dysfunctions below the level of injury, contribute to the loss of bone mineral density [1]. Unfortunately, low bone mineral density is associated to reduced bone strength and increased risk of lower-limb fragility fracture in this population [1]. Wearable robotic exoskeletons are an emerging and rapidly progressing technology that has, among other things, the potential to significantly increase lower-limb weight-bearing (i.e., mechanical loading) in this population. Mechanical loading is an important factor influencing bone strength through the “mechanostat” principal [1]. Briefly, the forces exerted on bone tissue during mechanical loading trigger an anabolic state during which the osteocyte-lead bone formation surpasses the osteoclast-lead bone resorption—thus, strengthening bone [1]. Hence, research in overground exoskeleton-assisted walking programs has increased substantially recently as such interventions could potentially increase bone strength and, theoretically, reduce the risk of fragility fractures (and associated complications). However, reported cases of lower-limb fragility fracture during exoskeleton-assisted walking raise safety concerns for both rehabilitation clinicians and researchers. |
| Auteurs | Alec Bass, Mylène Aubertin-Leheudre, Suzanne N. Morin & Dany H. Gagnon |
| Titre de revue/journal, volume et numéro | Spinal Cord Series and Cases, volume 8, numéro 29. |
| Langue de la publication et/ou de traduction | Anglais (langue d’origine) |
| Année de parution | 2022 |
| Pays | Québec, Canada. |
| Institutions affiliées | UdeM, CRIR, Université McGill, UQAM |
| Lien vers la publication | https://www.nature.com/articles/s41394-022-00498-7 |
| Type d’accès à la publication | Gratuit |
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