WIM Exosuit Wearable Soft Robot for Enhancing Walking Activity

Prior treatment

• \- \<90 days post major orthopedic surgery (i.e. hip, knee, and/or ankle joint replacement.)

Other illness

• \< 6 months post CABG or cardiac valve procedure
• Any skin irritations / conditions that may preclude a participant from tolerating the use of the exosuit.
• Severe osteoporosis, defined as osteoporosis that has been diagnosed and a participant's doctor has recommended pharmacologic treatment, or there is both a history of osteoporosis and a history of fractures.
• Serious cardiac conditions, such as hospitalization for myocardial infarction or heart surgery within 3 months, history of congestive heart failure, documented serious and unstable cardiac arrhythmias, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, severe aortic stenosis, angina or dyspnea at rest or during activities of daily living.
• Uncontrolled hypertension (resting systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 150, or resting diastolic pressure greater than or equal to 90.) If a participant demonstrates a BP greater than these values, then the participant will sit quietly for 5 mins, and then be re-checked. If the BP values remain over those thresholds, then the participant will be excluded. Individuals in such situations may return to be re-screened for participation after they follow up with their physician and the hypertension is better controlled.
• Modified Ashworth Spasticity (MAS) scores of ≥ 3 in hip flexors or extensors, if the participant is post-stroke or multiple sclerosis.
• Pre-existing neurological disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), dementia
• History of major head trauma, lower extremity amputation, non-healing ulcers of a lower extremity, ongoing active infections, legal blindness, or a history of significant psychiatric illness.

Other

• Pregnancy
• Lower extremity fracture, either currently or within the past 6 months.

• \- Be at least 6 months post-stroke, have a diagnosis of Parkinson's, have a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, or an adult older than 65 with no known neurological diagnoses.
  • For the Optimization Aim of the study, Participants may also be healthy individuals with no known impairments.
• Age: 18-89 years of age
• For stroke, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, or older adult participants, must have adequate cognitive function (MMSE score \>17)
• Ability to walk at least 10 meters with maximum of 1 person assist
• Able to safely fit into the WIM exosuit, which is confirmed via an in-person fitting..