In this study, we developed a unilateral knee actuated exoskeletal gait orthosis (KAEGO) for hemiplegic patients to conduct gait training in real-world environments without spatial limitations. For this purpose, it is crucial that the controller interacts with the patient’s gait intentions. This study newly proposes a simple gait control strategy that detects the gait state and recognizes the patient’s gait intentions using only the motion information of the lower limbs obtained from an embedded inertial measurement units (IMU) sensor and a knee angle sensor without employing ground reaction force (GRF) sensors. In addition, a torque generation method based on negative damping was newly applied as a method to determine the appropriate amount of assistive torque to support flexion or extension movements of the knee joint. To validate the performance of the developed KAEGO and the effectiveness of our proposed gait control strategy, we conducted walking tests with a hemiplegic patient. These tests included verifying the accuracy of gait recognition and comparing the metabolic cost of transport (COT). The experimental results confirmed that our gait control approach effectively recognizes the patient’s gait intentions without GRF sensors and reduces the metabolic cost by approximately 8% compared to not wearing the device.

Reciprocating gait orthosis (RGO) is a traditional passive orthosis that provides postural stability and allows for independent upright ambulation with the assistance of walking aids, such as crutches, canes, and walkers. Previous follow-up studies of patients with RGOs have indicated a high frequency of nonusage. One of the main reasons for avoiding the use of RGOs is the excessive upper extremity loading induced by walking aids. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hip actuation on the upper extremity loading induced by crutches when ambulating with an RGO. One female individual with a chronic complete spinal cord injury classified as ASIA A participated in this study. We compared the upper extremity loading during ambulation when individualized hip assistive forces were applied on the RGO (POWERED condition) and when wearing the RGO without actuation (RGO condition). Upper extremity loading was assessed by measuring the forces acting on the crutches. Compared with the RGO condition, the average upper extremity loading per unit distance and per unit time were lower for the POWERED condition by 15.21% (RGO: 0.307 ± 0.056 and POWERED: 0.260 ± 0.034 %bw·m${}^{-1}$) and by 21.19% (RGO: 0.120 ± 0.020 and POWERED: 0.094 ± 0.011 %bw·s${}^{-1}$), respectively. We believe that a substantial reduction in upper extremity loading during ambulation provided by hip actuation holds promise to promote long-term RGO use and enable patients with paraplegia to perform frequent and intensive rehabilitation training. As this is a single case study, subsequent studies should aim to verify this effect through a higher number of patients and to different injury levels.

This study investigated the efficacy of Augmented Reality (AR) in the rehabilitation of lower limb amputees by comparing movement accuracy and subjective satisfaction with and without AR. Ten individuals with unilateral lower limb amputations participated. Joint range of motion during exercises was measured using a 3D motion capture system. Subjective satisfaction was assessed via a 5-point Likert scale. Movement accuracy was evaluated by analyzing changes and variability (standard deviation) in joint angles across eight selected movements. Results showed that AR feedback significantly increased average joint angles in specific movements: standing arm raise to the side, standing trunk lateral flexion, and standing knee flexion to maximum height. Furthermore, AR feedback led to a significant reduction in the standard deviation of joint angles for most exercises, indicating improved movement consistency. Subjective satisfaction scores for interest, motivation, exercise effectiveness, movement accuracy, and overall satisfaction were significantly higher with AR.

Gait impairment is one of the most disabling consequences of stroke and substantially limits functional independence. While traditional orthoses provide joint stabilization, they often restrict natural motion and lack adaptive support. This study is aimed at evaluating the short‐term effects of an electric knee–ankle–foot orthosis (E‐KAFO) on gait performance and energy efficiency in patients with hemiplegia and at assessing how baseline balance ability, measured using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), influences outcomes. This pre–post intervention, nonrandomized study enrolled poststroke survivors ( n = 22), who were stratified into high‐ (BBS > 45) and low‐ (BBS ≤ 45) balance groups (HBG and LBG, respectively). Participants underwent gait assessments under two conditions: body‐powered condition (BP_C), to evaluate rehabilitation effects independently of the device, and E‐KAFO_C, to assess short‐term assistive efficacy immediately after device use. All assessments were conducted before and after a 3‐week intervention comprising seven E‐KAFO training sessions. The primary outcome was gait speed, measured using the 5‐m walk test (5‐mWT). The 3‐min and 6‐min walk tests (3‐MWT and 6‐MWT) and the physiological cost index (PCI) were also evaluated to assess gait endurance and energy efficiency. The 5‐mWT and 3‐MWT/6‐MWT were performed in randomized order to minimize order‐related bias. No standard rehabilitation‐only control group was included. Assistive effects (E‐KAFO_C) and rehabilitative effects (BP_C) were analyzed and reported separately. Two‐way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to assess the effects of group, time, and their interaction. Significant improvements in gait speed and endurance were observed across both conditions, with the LBG showing greater relative gains postintervention. In the E‐KAFO_C condition, the LBG demonstrated a 33.31% increase in 5‐mWT speed and a 25.51% increase in 3‐MWT distance. Notably, PCI decreased in both groups, although the reduction was significant only in the LBG. These findings underscore the distinction between the short‐term assistive benefits of the E‐KAFO and the rehabilitative improvements captured by BP_C outcomes, emphasizing that BP_C results serve as the primary indicator of rehabilitation effectiveness. Importantly, baseline balance ability assessed by the BBS influenced assistive and rehabilitative responses, supporting its relevance for patient stratification. Given the exploratory design and limited sample size, these findings are hypothesis‐generating and require confirmation in larger randomized controlled trials. Trial Registration: WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, supported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA): KCT0011412

The most common aftereffect of severe burns in patients is hypertrophic scarring. Hypertrophic scars typically form following severe burns; it refers to excessive collagen production in the dermal layer during the healing process, resulting in an abnormal raised scar. Currently, practical treatments for suppressing hypertrophic scars include laser therapy, pressure therapy, and the application of silicone sheets for moisture retention. The most extensively used treatment involves compression therapy using specially designed garments for the affected areas. However, this method has limitations when applied to curved surfaces like the face. To address this issue, three-dimensional (3D) scanning and 3D printing techniques have been actively developed for face masks and have shown promising clinical results. Unfortunately, current facial masks under development lack a sensor system to measure pressure, making it difficult to ensure consistent and appropriate pressures during clinical trials. In this study, we have developed a burn pressure mask capable of real-time pressure monitoring. The facial mask developed in this study utilizes an FSR-type sensor to measure the pressure applied to the skin. We have also embedded electrical wires within the mask to enhance its comfort and wearability. For this study, two patients wore the facial mask with real-time pressure measurement capabilities for 4 weeks in 12 h per day on average. We evaluated whether the mask maintained the appropriate pressure range (15–25 mmHg) throughout the clinical trial and whether it effectively inhibited scar formation. Through the analysis of recorded pressure signal data, we confirmed that the patients consistently maintained the appropriate pressure while wearing the mask during the clinical trial. Additionally, we observed significant differences in skin moisture levels, transepidermal water loss, and scar thickness before and after the experiment. These findings suggest that the facial mask, featuring real-time monitoring capabilities, effectively prevents the formation of hypertrophic scars.