Development of a Whole Body Motion Support Type Mobile Suit and Evaluation of Cerebral Activity while Walking Wearing the Suit

Abstract

We developed a new whole body motion support type mobile suit. This suit can be used separately for supporting the upper and/or lower limbs, for assisting ADL (Activities of Daily Living). We also developed a mobile lifter system which can bear both the equipped person and the suit. This suit and the lifter can be used by motor palsy patients suffering from stroke, spinal-cord-injury, and central nerve disorders. Using this device, these patients can recover normal gait with no risk of falling. In this paper, the brain activity during walking using the suit and normal gait without the suit are compared. According to multiple trials with the suit, the activity of the premotor area decreased. In addition, by walking while swinging bilateral arms (even though these arms were assisted by the suit), the activity in the supplementary motor area increased (this area of the brain is related with memory of motion). Finally, we can conclude that this suit is suitable for assisting patients in walking. Therefore it is important for patients to swing their arms during gait training in rehabilitation.