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Using wearable robots to improve fitness in MS

Person exercising using an exoskeleton
Lead researcher:
Dr Krishnan Padmakumari Sivaraman Nair
Based at:
Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield
MS Society funding:
£39,969
Status:
Active

About the project

Research suggests people with MS should do moderate exercise for 30 minutes three times a week. To get the benefit from exercise, your heart rate should increase to a level called target heart rate. People with advanced MS often have difficulty doing enough exercise to increase their heart rate to this level.



Powered exoskeletons are wearable robots that help people with weakness in their legs to stand and walk. Researchers will investigate whether using an exoskeleton could help people with MS to exercise in a way that raises their heart rate sufficiently. They'll also ask whether people with MS find this an acceptable way of doing exercise. They'll compare the effects of using the exoskeleton to exercising with a fitness instructor.

How will it help people with MS?

Lack of exercise can cause conditions like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and depression. So we need to find a way to make it easier for people with advanced MS to take part in physical activity. If this study is successful, it could make it easier for everyone with MS to exercise.

The difference you can make

You can help us to fund innovative projects like this, which could help everyone with MS to take part in physical activity.

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