Effects of an actuated ankle exoskeleton on walking stability in healthy adults: a controlled laboratory study.
J Neuroeng RehabilSep 8, 2026 (epub)
Cagla Kettner, Melina Beyerlein, Charlotte Marquardt et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of an actuated ankle exoskeleton on walking stability in 18 healthy adults. Results showed that using the exoskeleton increased stride-to-stride variability, with higher coefficients of variation for stride length and stance ratio. However, global gait stability remained unchanged, while local dynamic stability improved at the lower leg and foot.
Key findings
- Stride length variability increased significantly with the exoskeleton (p < 0.001).
- Stance ratio variability also increased (p = 0.005).
- Local dynamic stability improved at the lower leg (p < 0.001) and foot (p = 0.019).
- Global gait stability did not differ between conditions.
Why it matters
Understanding how ankle exoskeletons affect walking stability is crucial for their safe design and application in rehabilitation and mobility assistance. Insights from this study can inform future developments in wearable robotic devices.