Rehabilitative Effect of the Use of a Gait Exoskeleton in Patients With Neuromuscular Disease or Cerebral Palsy

Overview

The purpose of this multicentric study is to assess the rehabilitative effect derived from the use of the ATLAS exoskeleton in children with neuromuscular diseases or cerebral palsy and with a level of less than 3 or less in the Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC) as a consequence of their disease, as well as the assessment of other physical, functional and quality of life parameters of interest. For this purpose, the exoskeleton will be used as a rehabilitation and walking assistance tool. Before starting the study programme and if deemed necessary, a preliminary phase consisting of 1 to 3 sessions will be carried out during which the patient will be shown the exoskeleton for the first time and it will be considered whether any improvements to the different parts of the device or the software are necessary to increase the ergonomics and comfort of the patient.

The objectives of the study are: * Objective 1: To assess the safety and physical and physiological tolerance of the child to the activity performed with the exoskeleton in the rehabilitation sessions. * Objective 2: * To assess the safety of a progressive treatment algorithm to achieve the safe progression of patients throughout the therapy * To assess whether an improvement is achieved in parameters related to the physical rehabilitation of the patient using the exoskeleton, in respiratory capacity, self-perceived quality of life (physical and emotional well-being and self-esteem) as well as to assess the effectiveness of a psychological intervention to provide support in coping with the situation of using the device for the first time in those children who have not used it before. The time period of the study will be as long as necessary to reach the desired number of participants, in this case 10 children (N=10). The participants will be patients affected by neuromuscular diseases or cerebral palsy and will be selected on the basis of the following inclusion/exclusion criteria: Inclusion criteria: 1. Children with neuromuscular disease or cerebral palsy who present gait disturbances or no gait disturbance. 2. Children between 3 and 11 years of age. Exclussion criteria: not fulfil the usage criteria of the device.