Implementing a Robotic Hip Assist-based Mobility Intervention for Older Adults With Frailty

Twelve individuals above the age of 65 years old were recruited to participate in twelve sessions that occurred 2-3 times per week over a 4-6 week period using the GEMS-H. In addition to selecting individuals over the age of 65, qualifying participants also had to be able to walk with or without an assistive device for greater than ten feet. Medical clearance was obtained from each participant's primary physician prior to training with the device.

Gait training included dynamic over-ground walking (both self-selected and fast-paced), variable conditions of multidirectional walking, and training on ramps, stairs, and obstacle negotiation. All training was done under the supervision of a trained physical therapist. The amount of assistance and resistance torque provided by the hip motors of the GEMS-H was personalized according to each participant's specific abilities and self-reported tolerance/comfort throughout each session. These modifications followed a training progression model of increasing resistance and decreasing assistance over the course of the twelve sessions to maximize the challenge and improve strength and endurance in each participant.