Wearable technologies最新文献

{"title":"A lightweight passive ankle exoskeleton with dual-phase energy harvesting and stiffness adaptation.","authors":"Kaitai Li, Zhao Yang, Heyuan Wang, Xuesong Ye, Congcong Zhou","doi":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10046","DOIUrl":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Passive exoskeletons offer several advantages, including lightweight design, simple structure, and inherent energy efficiency. Most existing passive exoskeletons rely on clutch mechanisms to control spring-based energy storage and release, typically focusing only on recovering biomechanical energy during the stance phase of gait. In this study, we propose and analyze a lightweight passive ankle exoskeleton capable of harvesting and releasing energy during both the stance and swing phases of walking. The device aims to enhance gait assistance while maintaining structural simplicity and minimizing weight. By integrating the optimal stiffness ratio between the stance and swing phases, derived from musculoskeletal model simulations, with previously established optimal stance-phase stiffness parameters, we determined a suitable stiffness coefficient for the swing-phase spring. To validate the design, we conducted comparative experiments on participants walking with exoskeletons configured with different stiffness coefficients. Spatiotemporal parameters, metabolic energy cost, and muscle activation patterns were analyzed to evaluate performance. The results demonstrate that the proposed exoskeleton effectively reduces Soleus muscle activation while increasing tibialis anterior activity, leading to a 6.84% reduction in walking energy cost compared to a nonassistive condition. Furthermore, energy recovery during the swing phase alone contributes an additional 1.67% reduction in energy expenditure, improving overall walking efficiency. The proposed design also eliminates complex clutch components, significantly simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs, thereby enhancing the applicability of passive exoskeletons in daily mobility and rehabilitation scenarios.</p>","PeriodicalId":75318,"journal":{"name":"Wearable technologies","volume":"7 ","pages":"e10"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13444395/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148686987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Battlefield exoskeleton usability for lower-limb trauma in prolonged field care: A mixed-methods approach.","authors":"Ciera A Price, Catharina C Gaeth, Julia A Gambill, William Brett Johnson, Sarah Pesquera, Walter Lee Childers","doi":"10.1017/wtc.2025.10036","DOIUrl":"10.1017/wtc.2025.10036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Prolonged field care is increasingly important in military operations, where austere environments and delayed medical evacuations necessitate extended injury management. Tibia and fibula fractures are common, survivable battlefield injuries that demand such care. Current treatment options involve simple splints, which require the injured Service member to be carried on a litter, and exoskeletons, which are not suited for use in combat environments. The Intrepid Battlefield Exoskeleton (IBEX) was developed to address this critical gap in battlefield trauma care by stabilizing lower leg fractures and enabling independent mobility in prolonged care scenarios. This study evaluated the usability of two IBEX prototypes through sequential laboratory and field testing under two user conditions: medic and casualty. In laboratory testing, 20 participants completed a series of functional tasks with and without the IBEX and provided quantitative usability ratings and qualitative feedback via self-report measures and interviews. In field testing, 12 participants used the IBEX during a simulated mass casualty event and completed the same usability assessments. Quantitative results indicated high overall user satisfaction. Thematic analysis of qualitative feedback revealed recurring comments on usability, portability, comfort, security, and durability. Overall, results indicated moderate usability in both environments, with room to improve ease of fitting and adjustability. Findings highlight the value of a mixed-methods approach to device evaluation and underscore the importance of iterative design and testing. Ongoing work will compare the IBEX with the current standard of care and further refine the design for operational use.</p>","PeriodicalId":75318,"journal":{"name":"Wearable technologies","volume":"7 ","pages":"e9"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13280858/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148297761","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shoulder-wearable soft robot for assisting older adults in scapular stretching.","authors":"Kosuke Isobe, Masakazu Hirokawa, Yasuhiro Suzuki, Hideki Kadone, Yukiyo Shimizu, Kenji Suzuki","doi":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10044","DOIUrl":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We propose a wearable soft robot that assists with individualized scapula adduction and abduction for thoracic stretching in respiratory rehabilitation. Although thoracic stretching is known to be effective for respiratory rehabilitation, the range of motion of older adult patients narrows with age, and long-term external aid by physical therapists is required. The proposed robot consists of a soft and shoulder-wearable brace and cable-pulling mechanism to apply rotational torque on shoulders, resulting in stretching the thorax and scapulae. We designed the pulling mechanism by modeling the humeral head trajectory during stretching by a therapist and reproducing it with two linear actuators pulling the right and left shoulders simultaneously, based on position control aimed at achieving a target tension. The main results of validation experiments with older adults confirmed that the robot-assisted stretching was able to perform scapular stretching similar to that of a physical therapist.</p>","PeriodicalId":75318,"journal":{"name":"Wearable technologies","volume":"7 ","pages":"e8"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13280861/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148297709","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feasibility of a new soft ankle exoskeleton on people with dropfoot post-stroke.","authors":"Xiaochen Zhang, Axel Fredriksen, Elena M Gutierrez-Farewik, Susanne Palmcrantz","doi":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10043","DOIUrl":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dropfoot gait pattern during walking commonly persists after stroke and is often associated with muscle weakness and pathological muscle activation. Exoskeletons have demonstrated the potential to improve mobility in people with neurological conditions. We have developed a novel soft ankle exoskeleton and shown its ability to correct simulated dropfoot and excessive inversion in nondisabled people. In this study, we evaluate its feasibility in five persons with chronic stroke and dropfoot gait patterns. 3D gait analysis was performed in three conditions: walking with only shoes, with the exoskeleton unpowered, and powered. Foot and ankle kinematics and step length asymmetry were evaluated. The participants also reported satisfaction with QUEST 2.0 and a study-specific questionnaire. Compared with only shoes, the powered exoskeleton partially corrected dropfoot by increasing dorsiflexion angle and foot clearance height in swing, facilitating heel contact, neutralizing ankle inversion, and increasing step length symmetry slightly. The participants expressed satisfaction with the exoskeleton's effectiveness, though some comfort-related issues were identified. This feasibility study suggests that the exoskeleton prototype can improve dropfoot gait patterns and be accepted by individuals in the chronic stage after a stroke.</p>","PeriodicalId":75318,"journal":{"name":"Wearable technologies","volume":"7 ","pages":"e7"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13244356/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148213727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Concerted control framework for human-exoskeleton co-adaptation using ground reaction forces.","authors":"Vahid Firouzi, Arjang Ahmadi, Dennis Haufe, Andre Seyfarth, Oskar von Stryk, Rolf Findeisen, Maziar Ahmad Sharbafi","doi":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10042","DOIUrl":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10042","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Effective coordination between the human neuromuscular system and wearable assistive devices remains a key challenge in enhancing gait performance. We propose a concerted control strategy synchronizing biological and artificial actuators using shared feedback. Positioned between centralized (e.g., CPG) and distributed (e.g., reflex-based) control, this approach avoids a central controller by relying on a coordinating signal. Ground reaction force (GRF) emerged as a strong candidate for this role. To implement this concept, we use Force Modulated Compliance (FMC) - a control mechanism that adjusts joint stiffness based on real-time GRF input. FMC has been validated in simulations and robotic platforms, confirming its ability to synchronize joint actuation. We applied this strategy in an active soft biarticular thigh exosuit (BATEX) and tested it in human walking experiments. The GRF-informed controller increased preferred walking speed, advanced the walk-to-run transition, and reduced metabolic cost. These results highlight the effectiveness of GRF-based control in enhancing human-exosuit coordination and aligning assistance with natural gait dynamics. This bioinspired approach offers a scalable framework for real-world locomotion support by harmonizing human and robotic contributions.</p>","PeriodicalId":75318,"journal":{"name":"Wearable technologies","volume":"7 ","pages":"e6"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13244345/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148213729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Posture clip: Sit properly or I won't let you work.","authors":"Arka Majhi, Aparajita Mondal","doi":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10041","DOIUrl":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10041","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Poor posture is a significant concern due to its detrimental effects on health and productivity. This article presents a collar-clipped device called PostureClip, designed to restrict users from sitting and working at a bent angle, by blacking out the screen and resuming on correcting posture, thereby promoting better posture. The device integrates sensors and feedback mechanisms to provide real-time posture feedback to users. To evaluate the effectiveness of PostureClip, a controlled experiment was conducted with participants (<i>n</i> = 165) who were working on a laptop/PC for over 6 hours per day. The participants were randomly assigned to both the intervention group (IG1, <i>n</i> = 54; IG2, <i>n</i> = 55), which used the collar-clipped device, and the control group (CG, <i>n</i> = 56), which did not use the device. IG1 did not get feedback, while IG2 got feedback from the device by notifying and further darkening the screen. The study was conducted in the office environment of the participants, for 4 weeks, and metrics such as posture angle, duration of bent angle, and user feedback were collected. Analysis revealed significant improvements in posture angle (<i>p</i> < .001) and a significant reduction in bent angle duration (<i>p</i> < .01) for the participants' group using PostureClip with feedback and compared to the group without feedback and the control group (who were not intervened). The qualitative analysis of user feedback highlighted the device's ease of use, effectiveness in providing timely feedback, and positive impact on participants' awareness and habits regarding posture. These results indicate that PostureClip is an effective tool for promoting better posture during sedentary work.</p>","PeriodicalId":75318,"journal":{"name":"Wearable technologies","volume":"7 ","pages":"e5"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13186973/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147990298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A preliminary study of the efficacy of bimodal versus unimodal stumble recovery responses in a powered knee prosthesis.","authors":"Shane T King, Maura E Eveld, Leo G Vailati, Karl E Zelik, Michael Goldfarb","doi":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10040","DOIUrl":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Transfemoral prosthesis users demonstrate a higher fall rate due to tripping than able-bodied controls in previous laboratory studies. In particular, early swing demonstrates the greatest disparity, where able-bodied controls typically utilize an elevating strategy to cross the obstacle in the same stride that the perturbation occurs, rather than the lowering strategy, where swing is ended prematurely and the obstacle is crossed in the following stride. However, due to the passive nature of most commercial knee prostheses, the elevating strategy is largely inaccessible to prosthesis users, potentially contributing to the increased fall rate in early swing. To investigate the effects of reintroducing the elevating strategy to transfemoral prosthesis users, a bimodal stumble recovery controller was developed for a powered knee prosthesis that utilized the elevating and lowering recovery strategies, selected based on the post-impact kinematics of the prosthesis. The Bimodal controller was compared to a unimodal controller that only used the lowering strategy. Three transfemoral prosthesis users underwent a series of treadmill-based obstacle perturbations with each controller following an acclimation period. All participants successfully used the elevating response in the early swing phase. On average, the elevating response reduced the disturbance to participants' trunk kinematics and the reliance on harness support. While the Bimodal controller sometimes resulted in a recovery strategy mismatch for two participants, the mismatch still resulted in outcome metrics comparable to the unimodal controller. Overall, results suggest that the inclusion of the elevating and lowering strategies may improve stumble recovery outcomes for some transfemoral prosthesis users.</p>","PeriodicalId":75318,"journal":{"name":"Wearable technologies","volume":"7 ","pages":"e4"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13071851/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147693942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of a wearable-based intervention in overweight and obese adolescents: A randomized controlled trial considering gender, baseline activity, and intervention exposure.","authors":"Adrián Mateo-Orcajada, Raquel Vaquero-Cristóbal, Lucía Abenza-Cano","doi":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10039","DOIUrl":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10039","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objectives of the present study were (a) to determine the effects of a 12-week intervention using wearables promoted through physical education classes on physical activity, body composition, physical fitness and psychological well-being of overweight or obese adolescents; and (b) to analyze the differences in outcomes based on gender and baseline physical activity. Seventy-three overweight and obese adolescents (mean age: 13.44 ± 1.12 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) or control group (CG). The EG used a physical activity wearable for 12 weeks. Both groups were assessed before and after the intervention. Regarding primary outcomes, the EG showed an increase in physical activity (<i>p</i> = 0.048) and reductions in body mass index (<i>p</i> = 0.007), fat mass (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and sum of 3 skinfolds (<i>p</i> = 0.002), with moderate-to-large effect sizes (<i>η</i> ² > 0.09). According to the secondary outcomes, improvements in physical fitness were limited, with increases observed only in abdominal muscular endurance, and these changes were also present in the CG. Subgroup analyses showed that females and adolescents with low baseline physical activity experienced greater benefits, particularly in fat-related variables (<i>p</i> < 0.001-0.037), with large effect sizes (<i>η</i> ² > 0.14). Additionally, adolescents with greater exposure to the wearable-based intervention showed more consistent improvements in fat-related outcomes (<i>p</i> < 0.001-0.032), with large effect sizes (<i>η</i> ² > 0.25). In conclusion, a wearable-based intervention promoted through physical education classes may contribute to meaningful improvements in body composition, particularly among females and previously inactive adolescents who are overweight or obese. However, effects on physical fitness and psychological well-being were limited, highlighting the importance of intervention design, adherence, and complementary motivational strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":75318,"journal":{"name":"Wearable technologies","volume":"7 ","pages":"e3"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13071848/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147693934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"State of the art of lower limb prosthesis simulators: A literature review.","authors":"Imke Neelen, Bob van der Windt, Matthew Justin Major, Gerwin Smit","doi":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10038","DOIUrl":"10.1017/wtc.2026.10038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Individuals with limb loss present significant challenges to testing and evaluating prosthetic devices, such as medical approval processes and participant availability. Prosthesis simulators, designed for mimicking prosthesis use with able-bodied individuals, offer an alternative to conducting controlled experiments and enhancing the development of prosthetic technologies. This review examines the design features, applications, and limitations of lower limb prosthesis simulators. A literature search identified 73 studies that have used lower limb prosthesis simulators. Most studies have focused on transfemoral prosthesis simulators (TFsims) and testing prosthetic designs and control mechanisms. The most frequently assessed movement was walking, while other movements, were explored only sporadically. The findings reveal significant variability in simulator configurations, training protocols, and the range of movements assessed. Additionally, a notable research gap exists in evaluations of the effect of transtibial prosthesis simulators (TTsims) and hip disarticulation prosthesis simulators (HDsims) on gait. Despite these challenges, prosthesis simulators offer promising potential for accelerating and improving prosthesis development while putting less stress on the relatively small target group of individuals with limb loss. Further research is needed to standardize methodologies and better understand the effects of simulator design and training on gait performance to facilitate advancements in prosthetic research.</p>","PeriodicalId":75318,"journal":{"name":"Wearable technologies","volume":"7 ","pages":"e2"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12964165/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147380029","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of ankle-foot prosthesis design on gait and standing performance in transfemoral prosthesis users: A scoping review.","authors":"Miguel A Vaca, Molly Beestrum, Steven A Gard, Matthew J Major","doi":"10.1017/wtc.2025.10037","DOIUrl":"10.1017/wtc.2025.10037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ankle-foot mechanisms are designed to substitute for missing anatomical behavior of lower-limb prosthesis users. Historically, the majority of ankle-foot mechanism research has been focused on transtibial prosthesis users despite evidence that current knowledge is not directly translated to transfemoral prosthesis users, such as the influence of single-axis knee alignment during gait and the differences in standing balance management. This review attempts to characterize the current state of published knowledge about the effects of ankle-foot prosthesis design on standing and walking performance in transfemoral prosthesis users. The databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and IEEE Xplore were searched on January 6, 2025. Data from the selected articles were extracted and reported following the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. Thirty-five articles were included that reported on seven different types of feet, ranging from simple designs like a solid ankle-cushioned heel (SACH) foot to more complex ones such as a microprocessor foot. The range of reported study tasks extended from standing and level walking to more complex tasks like incline/decline slopes and parcourse walking. The results suggest some parallels between transfemoral and transtibial prosthesis users, such as improvements with the incorporation of roll-over-shape (ROS) features and adaptation of a hydraulic ankle. The literature also emphasized how ankle-foot components affect ground force vector position and direction, influencing prosthetic knee control, highlighting the importance of considering the interaction between the prosthetic ankle-foot and knee mechanisms. Understanding these interactions will support the development of clinical practice guidelines by identifying the pair of prosthetic components that maximizes performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":75318,"journal":{"name":"Wearable technologies","volume":"7 ","pages":"e1"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12895200/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146204139","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}