Current State, Needs, and Opportunities for Wearable Robots in Military Medical Rehabilitation and Force Protection

Author:

Cooper Rory A.1ORCID,Smolinski George2,Candiotti Jorge L.1ORCID,Satpute Shantanu1ORCID,Grindle Garrett G.1,Sparling Tawnee L.2ORCID,Nordstrom Michelle J.2,Yuan Xiaoning2,Symsack Allison2,Lee Chang Dae3ORCID,Vitiello Nicola4ORCID,Knezevic Steven5,Sugar Thomas G.6,Schneider Urs7,Kopp Verena7ORCID,Holl Mirjam7ORCID,Gaunaurd Ignacio89ORCID,Gailey Robert8,Bonato Paolo10ORCID,Poropatich Ron11,Adet David J.12,Clemente Francesco13,Abbas James14,Pasquina Paul F.2

Affiliation:

1. Human Engineering Research Laboratories, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15026, USA

2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA

3. Department of Occupational Therapy, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA

4. BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56025 Pontedera, PI, Italy

5. Spinal Cord Damage Research Center, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA

6. Barrett, The Honors College, ASU Polytechnic, Mesa, AZ 85281, USA

7. Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

8. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA

9. Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125, USA

10. Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02115, USA

11. Center for Military Medicine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA

12. U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, Natick, MA 01760, USA

13. Prensilia S.r.l., 56025 Pontedera, PI, Italy

14. Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I3R) and the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA

Abstract

Despite advances in wearable robots across various fields, there is no consensus definition or design framework for the application of this technology in rehabilitation or musculoskeletal (MSK) injury prevention. This paper aims to define wearable robots and explore their applications and challenges for military rehabilitation and force protection for MSK injury prevention. We conducted a modified Delphi method, including a steering group and 14 panelists with 10+ years of expertise in wearable robots. Panelists presented current wearable robots currently in use or in development for rehabilitation or assistance use in the military workforce and healthcare. The steering group and panelists met to obtain a consensus on the wearable robot definition applicable for rehabilitation or primary injury prevention. Panelists unanimously agreed that wearable robots can be grouped into three main applications, as follows: (1) primary and secondary MSK injury prevention, (2) enhancement of military activities and tasks, and (3) rehabilitation and reintegration. Each application was presented within the context of its target population and state-of-the-art technology currently in use or under development. Capturing expert opinions, this study defines wearable robots for military rehabilitation and MSK injury prevention, identifies health outcomes and assessment tools, and outlines design requirements for future advancements.

Funder

Center for Wheelchairs and Rehabilitation Engineering, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

State of Science Symposia, Defense Health Agency

Publisher

MDPI AG

Reference76 articles.

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