Cortical control of walking with and without powered exoskeleton assistance: An EEG pilot study

Abstract

Brain activity and cortico-muscular connectivity vary during walking in correlation with different phases of the walking cycle; a mechanism that may be disrupted in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). This exploratory study aims to detect brain signals during walking and determine the effect of exoskeleton-walking robot (EWR) assistance on brain activity using mobile brain imaging techniques (scalp EEG). Acquiring such knowledge in SCI is critical to the development of effective rehabilitation interventions aimed at maximizing gait function recovery. EEG data were collected from 1 able-bodied (AB) and 1 iSCI participant during walking and with and without EWR assistance (using both “Max Assist” and “Free Limb” settings). Results showed our ability to record EEG data and to measure cortico-muscular coherence correlating with walking task and to identify differences in cortical connectivity during different types of EWR assistance.