Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41006260›Full record

ArticleNature communications2025

A multifaceted hybrid ES-robotic device for gait training in individuals with neurological disorders.

Francesca Dell'Eva, Eleonora Guanziroli, Viola Camerini, Marta Gandolla, Laura Brignole, Stefano Maludrottu, Emanuele Gruppioni, Giancarlo Ferrigno, Franco Molteni, Emilia Ambrosini and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nature communications, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Trial
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Francesca Dell'EvaNearLab, Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-3777-0964
Eleonora GuanziroliValduce Hospital, Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Costa Masnaga, Italy.
Viola CameriniNearLab, Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Marta GandollaWeCobot Lab, Politecnico di Milano, Polo Territoriale di Lecco, Lecco, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5237-714X
Laura BrignoleNearLab, Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Stefano MaludrottuIIT-INAIL Rehab Technologies Laboratory, Italian Institute of Technology IIT, Genova, Italy.
Emanuele GruppioniCentro Protesi INAIL, Istituto Nazionale Assicurazione contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro, Vigorso di Budrio, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0732-8378
Giancarlo FerrignoNearLab, Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Franco MolteniValduce Hospital, Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Costa Masnaga, Italy.
Emilia Ambrosini *NearLab, Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy. emilia.ambrosini@polimi.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6527-0779
Alessandra Pedrocchi *NearLab, Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9957-2786

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The integration of robotics and Electrical Stimulation (ES) in neurorehabilitation leverages robotics' precise task execution alongside ES-induced motor learning, muscle conditioning, and cardiovascular benefits. We propose a hybrid system for overground gait training, combining neuromuscular ES and a motorized exoskeleton. Different combination modalities are proposed: ES-motor cooperation for the swinging knee, synchronized but independent ES and motor assistance for hip movements and for the knee during stance, and ES-only for the non-actuated ankle. Twelve non-disabled subjects and eleven participants with neurological disorders tested the system under two conditions: exoskeleton-only and hybrid. The hybrid condition reduced knee motor torque by 48% during swing without compromising tracking accuracy, showing that ES can effectively drive limb motion. Neurological participants rated the hybrid system as more usable than the exoskeleton alone (median 5-point improvement of System Usability Scale). These findings support the feasibility of hybrid ES-motorized exoskeletons in clinical settings. Future studies should investigate their potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Indexed as

Exoskeleton DeviceGaitNervous System DiseasesNeurological RehabilitationRoboticsAdultBiomechanical PhenomenaElectric StimulationFemaleHumansKneeMaleMiddle AgedYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID41006260
PMCPMC12474861

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

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.