Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38788086›Full record

ArticleJournal of neuromuscular diseases2024

ExoBand, A Passive Wearable Device as a Walking Aid in Neuromuscular Patients: First Quantitative Assessment.

Claudio Semplicini, Michela Agostini, Cinzia Andrigo, Stefano Masiero, Francesco Piccione, Gianni Sorarù

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of neuromuscular diseases, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Claudio SempliciniUOC Neurologia Ospedale S. Antonio; Azienda Ospedale-Università di Padova, Padua, Italy.
Michela AgostiniDipartimento di Neuroscienze, Medicina Fisica e Riabilitazione, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy.
Cinzia AndrigoUOC Neurologia Ospedale S. Antonio; Azienda Ospedale-Università di Padova, Padua, Italy.
Stefano MasieroDipartimento di Neuroscienze, Medicina Fisica e Riabilitazione, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy.
Francesco PiccioneUOC di Neuroriabilitazione; Azienda Ospedale-Università di Padova, Padua, Italy.
Gianni SorarùDipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: Exoband (by Moveo, Padova, Italy) functions as a walking brace, comprising a belt and two leg loops connected by a mechanism that stores energy during the initial phase of the gait cycle and releases it in the subsequent phase. This enhances hip flexor thrust, leading to functional improvement in walking for individuals with conditions characterized by proximal weakness. It has been approved as a passive wearable device for individuals with impaired walking abilities. Objective of this study was to establish a protocol to assess the use of Exoband in patients with various neuromuscular disorders. Methods: This exploratory retrospective study includes consecutive patients diagnosed with neuromuscular disorders (CIDP, motor polyneuropathy, MND), exhibiting a proximal involvement and gait abnormalities. The evaluation protocol incorporated specific walking-related outcome measures, the 10-meter walk test (10mWT), Time-up-and-go test (TUG), and 2-minute walking test (2MWT). The assessments were conducted both with and without the Exoband under standard conditions. Results: Eight patients (6 males, aged 60-78 years) were tested. An increase in velocity was observed in the 10mWT (median 13.4 sec, IQR 12.0-15.7 vs. 12.2 sec, IQR 11.3-14.2 seconds, p < 0.05) and the TUG (14.0 sec, IQR 13-16.2 vs 13.35 sec, IQR 11-13.8; p < 0.05, by non-parametric Wilcoxon test), and a trend of increase in 2MWT (median 88.2 vs 92.6 m, n.s.). Six out of 8 patients reported subjective benefits from the very first use, including improved walking stability, speed, confidence, and reduced fatigue. Conclusions: Our protocol provides a quantitative assessment of Exoband usefulness for patients affected by neuropathies with gait abnormalities. Further investigations are warranted to assess the long-term effects of its regular Exoband use, its efficacy in specific neuromuscular diseases, and its potential role as a rehabilitation device.

Indexed as

Neuromuscular DiseasesWalkingWearable Electronic DevicesAgedFemaleGait Disorders, NeurologicHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesWalk TestexoskeletonGait abnormalitiesneuromuscular disordersrehabilitation

Identifiers

PMID38788086
PMCPMC11307065

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.