Gyroscopic wearable improves balance performance in people with degenerative ataxia – a sham-controlled robotics study

Degenerative ataxias cause progressive cerebellar dysfunction, leading to gait and balance impairments. Patients are often dissatisfied with current assistive devices, such as walkers. We developed the GyroPack, a gyroscopically-actuated, balance-assisting backpack, and evaluated its effects in 14 individuals with degenerative ataxia using a single-blinded, sham-controlled study. Participants completed five static and dynamic balance tasks under three conditions: baseline, sham, and assistive. In assistive mode, the GyroPack dampened trunk rotation; in sham mode, this effect was minimal. The GyroPack increased the average standing time when comparing assistive to baseline condition. While walking, it also reduced the variability of the trunk angular velocity and the extrapolated center of mass, both indicators for gait stability. When comparing assistive to sham, there was an overall trend for differences, however, only trunk angular velocity differed significantly. These findings mark an important step toward a portable robotic wearable for individuals with cerebellar and other neurological conditions.