Objective:

To investigate the clinical efficacy of an ankle-targeted soft robotic exoskeleton (SRE) system in improving gait abnormalities and balance impairments in individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD), addressing significant treatment limitations.

Key Findings:

• More than 70% of PD patients exhibit gait abnormalities within 5 years of diagnosis, highlighting the urgent need for effective interventions.
• Freezing of gait incidence increases from 37.9% in early-stage to 64.6% in late-stage PD, indicating a progressive challenge in managing PD symptoms.
• Soft robotic exoskeletons (SREs) have shown potential in improving gait parameters in neurological diseases, suggesting a promising avenue for PD rehabilitation.

Interpretation:

The study aims to clarify the efficacy of SREs in addressing gait and balance issues in PD, which remain inadequately managed by current treatments, potentially influencing future therapeutic strategies.

Limitations:

• The study is limited to a specific population in a single rehabilitation center, which may affect generalizability.
• Potential variability in individual responses to SRE intervention, suggesting the need for personalized approaches in future research.

Conclusion:

This pilot study seeks to provide insights into the effectiveness of SREs for gait rehabilitation in PD, addressing a significant gap in current therapeutic approaches and potentially impacting clinical practice.