A new study shows how a robotic device can assist and train people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) to sit more stably by improving their trunk control.

Developed at Columbia University (New York, NY, USA), the Trunk-Support Trainer (TruST) is based on a motorized-cable belt placed around the torso that helps determine the individual postural control limits and sitting workspace area for people with SCI. It also delivers forces on the torso when the user performs upper body movements beyond their postural stability limits while sitting. SCI patients first perform maximal trunk excursions along eight directions, radiating in a star-shape, in order to define their seated postural limits and workspace area (in cm2). TruST is then configured to apply assist-as-needed forces when the trunk moves beyond these postural limits… Continue reading.