Chinese Scientists Develop 96-Gram Wearable Robot, Helping 6 Children With Muscular Atrophy Stand
Updated
Updated · Global Times · May 21
Chinese Scientists Develop 96-Gram Wearable Robot, Helping 6 Children With Muscular Atrophy Stand
1 articles · Updated · Global Times · May 21
Six children with severe muscular atrophy who had lost the ability to stand regained muscle growth and slowly stood independently after training with a 96-gram wearable robot, CCTV reported.
The knee-worn device, developed by a Beihang University team led by associate professor Feng Yanggang, does not move patients directly; it applies adaptive resistance to reactivate dormant nerves and muscles.
Researchers said the resistance is calibrated to maximize muscle activation, driving full-body engagement and potentially aiding spinal and neural recovery during rehabilitation.
The findings were published in Nature on May 20, adding evidence that physical rehabilitation can help patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy.
By making muscles 'fight back,' can a 96g wearable truly mend broken nerve signals from the brain?
This tiny robot retrains muscles with resistance, not assistance. Is this the future of reversing paralysis?
Six children can now stand, but what are the global hurdles to getting this device to millions more?
Beihang University’s Wearable Robot Delivers 130% Muscle Strength Gain for Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Overview
Beihang University has developed a wearable rehabilitation robot designed to significantly improve motor function in children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The research, published in Nature, marks a major step toward greater independence for young SMA patients. In a clinical trial, six children who had previously received gene therapy but saw little benefit from standard physical therapy used the robot in intensive training sessions over six weeks. This innovative approach led to measurable improvements in their motor abilities, showing that the robot can help children achieve functional gains that traditional therapies alone could not provide.