INTRODUCTION and OBJECTIVES: To assess the immediate effects of the NESS L300TM, a neuroprosthesis designed to ameliorate foot drop, on the stability and symmetry of walking in patients with foot-drop.

MATERIAL and METHODS:  24 patients (mean age: 54.0±13.5 yrs) with chronic hemiparesis whose walking was impaired by foot-drop. Patients were post stroke (n=21) or traumatic brain injury (n=3).  Subjects walked for 6 minutes with and without the NESS L300TM in randomized order. Gait speed, swing time, and a gait symmetry index were analyzed using force sensitive insoles. Stride time variability and swing time variability were calculated as markers of gait stability and fall risk.

RESULTS: All subjects were able to walk with the NESS L300TM immediately after fitting. While wearing the NESS L300TM walking speed improved by 17% (from 0.53 ±0.25m/sec to 0.62 ±0.22m/sec; p<0.001) and the subjects could walk further by 16% in the six minute walk (from 191.7±89.6m to 223.1±79.9m).  The gait symmetry index improved by 32.2% (from 0.59±0.32to0.40±0.21;p<0.01). Stride time variability decreased by 25 % (from 5.7±3.0 % to 4.2±1.3%; p=0.02). Similarly, swing time variability decreased by 40 % (from 7.9±6.6 to 4.7±2.3; p=0.0.2).

CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the initial application of the NESS L300TM enhances gait. An increase in walking speed was observed in conjunction with a dramatic improvement in gait rhythmicity and steadiness. This suggests that patients can gain meaningful benefits from using the NESS L300TM right away, without extensive training.