Soft robotic wearable restores arm function for people with ALS - Inceptive Mind

Now, a team of researchers from Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital has developed a soft robotic wearable capable of significantly assisting upper arm and shoulder movement in people with ALS.

This soft robotic wearable is basically a shirt with some inflatable, balloon-like soft-robotic actuators located under each of the wearer’s armpits.

Credit: Walsh Lab, Harvard SEASThe researchers already tested the sensor system on ten people living with ALS.

The team found that the soft robotic wearable improved study participants’ range of motion, reduced muscle fatigue, and increased performance of tasks like holding or reaching for objects.

“This study gives us hope that soft robotic wearable technology might help us develop new devices capable of restoring functional limb abilities in people with ALS and other diseases that rob patients of their mobility,” says Conor Walsh, senior author on the paper reporting the team’s work.

Tommaso Proietti, Ciaran O’Neill, Lucas Gerez, Tazzy Cole, Sarah Mendelowitz, Kristin Nuckols, Cameron Hohimer, David Lin, Sabrina Paganoni, Conor Walsh.