Enhance Neuro-
modulation
HAL functions in accordance with the motor intention of the wearer and internal ideal movement patterns as if it were a part of the body.
"In the present study, we propose that cybernics (i.e., the iBF created by the union of HAL and the nervous and musculoskeletal systems of the wearer) enables the regeneration of the impaired motor function. This neuroplasticity would result in the reconnection of the CNS to the motor units and the reconnection of motor neurons to muscle fibres' (Nakajima et al., 2021).
Promote neuromuscular reconnection and remodulation
Even if the muscles barely function, the sensory receptors such as those found in muscle spindle fibers get activated by the device’s movement, and this sensory information is fed back to the brain in real-time. Due to this neurological loop of information between the brain and the periphery can be established repeatedly without putting much load on the muscles, synaptic connections can be improved and strengthened through neuronal plasticity, reconstructing the neural connectivity network and thereby promoting functional improvement. In this way, the technological characteristics of the HAL Systems were designed with the intent to promote the reconstruction of the patient’s neural connectivity network including the connectome of the brain, and improve and regenerate the patient’s brain-neuro-physical functions.
- By using HAL, we can avoid providing excessive load and fatigue on the neuromuscular system
- Neuromuscular and central nervous systems work to produce the intended motions with HAL
- In the five years performance test, the data was collected from a total of 218 patients from 20 medical institutions. The result suggests a high efficacy towards patients with intractable progressive neuromuscular diseases.
Patients with progressive neuromuscular diseases can profit from HAL training in various ways:
• Preserves and improves gait ability
• Improves endurance
• Positive psychological effects
The five years performance test suggests a high efficacy towards patients with progressive neuromuscular diseases
For individuals having progressive neuromuscular disease including spinal muscular atrophy, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, distal muscular dystrophy, inclusion body myositis, congenital myopathy, muscular dystrophy, an investigator-initiated randomized controlled crossover clinical study approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan was conducted and the results were used to gain medical device approval in Japan.
The results suggest that treatment with the HAL device shows improvement in gait related outcome measures despite the progressive nature of the diseases. Additional to the literature and clinical trial, the findings from the post market survey bears significant weight and are quickly summarized below:
1) Participants showed improvement in gait related outcome measures comparing pre-post intervention of the first cycle of treatment (9 sessions).
2) Even after 1.5 years from the measurement of baseline, with intermittent treatment cycles participants showed about +20% difference from the baseline function, despite the progressive nature of their disease.
3) Blood creatine kinase data was
collected from a total of 100 participants and results show a decreasing trend when comparing pre-post HAL treatment measurements. The lack of rise in CK levels suggests that HAL treatment does not damage the muscles through overuse.
Watch the videos to see how HAL is used in therapy
Learn more about HAL Treatment
From the perspective of motor learning, repetitive movement and voluntary exercise are important elements
Learn moreLocomotor training performed using a neurologically controlled cyborg HAL enables the neural activity and repetitive excercises of specific tasks.
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HAL— Improving Mobility Wellness One Step at a Time
Gain a deeper understanding of the science and medicine of motor function and neural connections through the HAL Lower Limb.