Knee-Worn Robot Enhances Leg Strength in Children with SMA Under Gene Therapy
A six-week study of a lightweight knee-mounted wearable robot providing isokinetic resistance improved knee function in six children with type 2 SMA who were receiving gene therapy, increasing quadriceps size by ~20% and more than doubling knee-extension strength, with MRI and nerve tests confirming muscular and neuromuscular gains and parents reporting easier daily movements at home; results suggest home-based rehab could augment gene therapy, though it’s not yet clear if the device offers unique advantages over other high-intensity exercise.