Key Details
- Researchers at Northwestern University and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab developed a rehabilitation system called TEPI (Therapist-Exoskeleton-Patient Interaction).
- TEPI virtually connects a therapist and a stroke survivor through robotic exoskeletons.
- The system enables real-time communication, allowing the therapist to adjust support based on patient performance.
- In evaluations with eight stroke survivors, TEPI improved joint range of motion and step length and height compared to conventional therapist-guided treadmill training, with similar muscle activation.
- Patients reported high motivation and enjoyment.
- The study was published on June 17 in Science Robotics.
Background
Conventional physical therapy for gait recovery often focuses on one aspect of movement because a therapist can physically assist only a limited number of actions. Rehabilitation exoskeletons can increase training intensity but often use fixed movement patterns that do not adapt in real time. TEPI addresses these limitations by allowing the therapist's legs to guide the patient's legs through a virtual connection.
"Therapist-led rehabilitation remains the foundation of recovery... this research shows promise for complementing this standard of care."
— José L. Pons, Scientific Chair at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Professor at Northwestern University
Lead authors emphasized that TEPI reduces physical effort for therapists and could enable whole-body training without requiring multiple therapists.
Funding
This research was supported by the National Science Foundation / National Robotics Initiative (award number 2024488).