First participant included in research project on the effect of exoskeletons on the central nervous system
The research collaboration between Bioservo Technologies, Aleris Rehab Station Stockholm, Karolinska Institutet and the Royal Institute of Technology is now entering an active phase with the first patient included. The purpose of the pilot study is to investigate whether the use of a soft active exoskeleton can mitigate the effects of a stroke and in the long run shorten the rehabilitation time.
As previously communicated, Bioservo Technologies is part of a research collaboration with Aleris Rehab Station Stockholm, Karolinska Institute, and the Royal Institute of Technology. The purpose of the collaboration is to conduct a pilot study to investigate whether the use of a soft active exoskeleton, in the form of a grip-strengthening glove, can affect neurophysiological active areas in the motor part of the brain.
By measuring brain activity, using a magnetic camera (fMRI) and functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), while subjects grasp an object with and without the glove, the research team can investigate whether the use of the glove affects areas close to the damaged area of the brain after stroke. The hypothesis is that with the help of a soft active exoskeleton, surrounding healthy tissue can be activated and thereby mitigate the effect of brain damage.
Annually, ca. 12.2 million people worldwide experience a stroke (1.1M in the EU). It is the world’s third-leading cause of death and disability, and 101 million people live with its aftermath (9.5M in the EU). A 35% rise in prevalent cases is foreseen in Europe by 2040, resulting in a 44% increase of stroke’s financial burden on healthcare and the economy as up to 90% of survivors develop impairments of different severity, requiring individual therapy.1,2,3,4
Annika Rydgård, Bioservo Technologies' project manager for the study, says “We have a very large pool of expertise within the research group and at Bioservo. There is a strong motivation to jointly contribute to future stroke treatment and we are grateful that Märit wants to be part of the study. ”
“It was great fun to be part of and get an insight into the research. It was almost an honor to participate. I did not get significantly tired by performing the program in the MRI camera.”, Says Märit, the first participant in the project.
For more information, please contact:
Petter Bäckgren, CEO
petter.backgren@bioservo.com
+46 8 21 17 10
or
Annika Rydgård, Research and Clinical Project Manager
annika.rydgard@bioservo.com
+46 8 21 17 10
About Bioservo Technologies
Bioservo Technologies AB (publ) is a world leading company in wearable muscle strengthening systems for people in need of extra strength and endurance. All our innovative products and systems are designed to keep people strong, healthy, and efficient.
The company has a unique global position within soft exoskeleton technology for the hand, both for industrial applications to improve the health for workers and to improve quality of life for people with reduced muscle strength.
Bioservo Technologies was founded in 2006 in collaboration between researchers at the Royal Institute of Technology and a doctor at Karolinska University Hospital. Bioservo Technologies is a Swedish public limited company with headquarters in Stockholm.
FNCA Sweden AB, +46(0)8-52800399, info@fnca.se is the company’s Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North
For more information, please visit www.bioservo.com
*1 World Stroke Organization: Global Stroke Fact Sheet 2022
*2 Wafa H.A. et al., Burden of Stroke in Europe. Thirty-Year Projections of Incidence, Prevalence, Deaths, and Disability-Adjusted Life Years. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.029606
*3 https://www.healthline.com/health/stroke/recovery
*4 AT WHAT COST - The Economic Impact of Stroke in Europe - A summary. A report by University of Oxford
