Keeogo™ is a powered walking device developed and manufactured by B-TEMIA Inc.
Where can you learn more about the Keeogo™?
You can visit www.hmeinnovation.com, and we have a number of presentations coming up where you can come by and see the Keeogo™ in person, and even try it on!
Here are the upcoming events where HME will be presenting the Keeogo™ dermoskeleton™:
May 4 – 5pm to 8pm May 5 – 11am to 8pm May 6 – 10am to 6pm
Vancouver Convention Center, West Building, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC
HME will be in booth #30 http://bmovanmarathon.ca/runvan-expo
Our product specialists can also arrange private presentations for your team. Contact us at 604.821.0075 or 250.386.0075 to arrange a date.
How can Keeogo™ change my life?
Increase Walking Capacity
The utilization of Keeogo™ has been investigated across a variety of neurological conditions affecting mobility such as Multiple Sclerosis, Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury, and Stroke.
Participants performed mobility tests such as Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), Modified Timed Stair Test (MTST), and 6-Minute-Walk Test (6MWT) with and without Keeogo™. Results showed improvement for each participant, in at least one activity. One participant significantly increased their distance on a 6MWT, while another switched from a step-by-step to a step-over-step strategy during stair climbing and completed the test faster. All participants mentioned Keeogo™ helped in the “Up” part of the TUG
An investigation was conducted across a wide range of neurologic pathologies to identify which clinical markers can accurately predict improvement on a 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and 25-Foot Walk (25FWT) with the use of Keeogo™. This study showed significant improvement in timed walking tests for those demonstrating an ideal level of baseline function in regards to balance, power and walking speed. It was identified that Keeogo™ seems to show immediate improvements in these measures for those who need additional assistance when walking but have adequate strength to initiate movement patterns that the Keeogo™ artificial intelligence is able to recognize.
Another investigation was conducted on a patient recovering from an ACL reconstruction operation (performed two weeks prior). This study shows an improved confidence in walking (44%) while wearing Keeogo™.
Increase Balance and Stability
Balance impairments and increased falls risk are known to have a vast and meaningful impact on quality of life and independence in those living with mobility impairments.
Investigations on oscillation speed and displacement on a balance platform were performed on participants with Parkinson’s disease. Results showed improvements for all conditions involving Keeogo™ and 75% of the participants reduced their mean oscillation speed. The displacement of the centre of pressure was demonstrated in all “with Keeogo™” conditions.
Reduce Compensatory Movements
Populations with neurologic and orthopedic impairments are prone to develop compensatory movement patterns, leading to long-term negative biomechanical issues.
Preliminary investigations in the Multiple Sclerosis population measured quality of gait with and without Keeogo™. The first 10 steps of the 6MWT were used as the reference to determine baseline hip trajectory. Each step thereafter was compared to this reference. Results showed significantly less deviation from baseline hip trajectories as the test went on when wearing Keeogo™ which is an indication that the device may help to maintain a better gait quality over the course of an extended period of walking.
Reduce Pain
Individuals living with knee osteoarthritis (OA) have a marked decreased quality of life, more disability and struggle with persistent pain due to a lack of bracing options that are shown to truly eliminate symptoms of knee OA.
Early studies show Keeogo™ to be an effective solution by drastically reducing pain in three individuals with severe (K/L grade 4) knee OA population on their first use. While performing tasks such as sit-to-stand, walking, stairs climbing, participants were asked to rate the pain on a 10-point visual-analogue scale (VAS). Results showed significantly smaller (6-8 to 0-2) self-reported pain scores for all participants in all conditions. An analysis performed by the University of New Brunswick suggests that a decreased knee moment and improved walking conditions could explain this effect. The ACL Reconstruction study also shows a 45% decrease in pain while wearing Keeogo™ and conducting physician recommended exercises.
Improved Kinetics and Kinematics
A possible explanation for some of the aforementioned benefits of Keeogo™ may be attributed to an overall improvement in alignment, and reduction in moments in various planes on the human knee joint, and decreased maximum joint angles in higher intensity activities.
An investigation on the swing phase while jumping were conducted with a Keeogo™ and showed a reduction in joint angles and overall forces applied to the knee joint and reduce stress on the knee joint. Results also showed the smallest knee displacement value was obtained with Keeogo™. Kinematic data also validate these observations. Keeogo™ also increased medio-lateral stability and provided a better knee stabilization.
Results applicable to rehabilitation
Many of these results are applicable to rehabilitation settings. Roy and Bédard show significant potential in increasing training volume without pain as a debilitating factor. This would be done by alleviating debilitating pain in patients living with arthritis, as a drastic decrease in self-reported pain levels can be observed in all subjects across all conditions. Cantin shows similar results in the ACL reconstruction study through a largely decreased pain level.
Cantin shows promise in reducing overall fatigue, in the Parkinson population by improving balance, reducing oscillation and improving posture. Participants were able to perform activities unusual to them with the Keeogo™ (running, lunging and kicking balls outside the functional tests).
Bouyer shows promise in allowing more quality steps and volume, as the walking gait consistency was maintained for a longer period of time for Multiple Sclerosis patients. Participants performing standardized tests observed either the same performance with less effort or increased performance with the same effort. In a similar manner, Cantin shows an increase in walking confidence.
Lamontagne and Brandon show promise in allowing relearning balance earlier in rehabilitation phase. Both show an increased stability in the biomechanics of the knee joint. Tibial translation, frontal plane excursion and abduction moment are all decreased. Medio-lateral stability is increased. These factors could contribute to a reduction of risks of ACL tears, injuries of the medial and lateral ligaments, and decrease of Knee OA pain (as reported earlier).
St-Croix, Bedard, Tack, Vazquez and Pacciolla show promise in allowing muscle strengthening earlier in a rehabilitation phase.
Tests show a mechanical advantage in squats and other deep-knee activities. Pacciolla remarks that one of the user’s comments specifically targets potential in rehabilitation and progressive return to work after an injury.
If you have any questions following this newsletter, be sure to call the office at (604) 821 0075 for more information.
