Stoller, O. et al “Robot-Assisted End-Effector-Based Stair Climbing for Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing: Feasibility, Reliability, and Repeatability.” PLoS One 2016 5;11(2):e0148932. Epub 2016 Feb 5.
This study established feasibility, together with reliability and repeatability, for augmented RASC-based CPET in able-bodied individuals. The end-effector based approach demonstrated comparable or higher peak cardiopulmonary performance variables relative to predicted values, it achieved the criteria for V′O2max, and it allowed determination of sub-maximal ventilatory thresholds. The reliability and repeatability were found to be high. There is potential for augmented RASC to be used for exercise testing and prescription in populations with neurological impairments who would benefit from repetitive task-specific training.