Assessment of In-Hospital Walking Velocity and Level of Assistance in a Powered Exoskeleton in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury

Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2015 · DOI: 10.1310/sci2102-100 · Published: April 1, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Assistive Technology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study looks at how people with spinal cord injuries can use powered exoskeletons to walk and how much help they need to do it. The goal is to see if these devices can help people walk at speeds that would allow them to do everyday activities. The study found that some people with spinal cord injuries could walk at a speed that might be useful for getting around in the community when using the ReWalk exoskeleton. The amount of help they needed was related to how fast they could walk. The research also showed that using the ReWalk device in a hospital setting is safe. This means it could be a good option for people with spinal cord injuries to get exercise and stand upright, which has health benefits.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

12 individuals with SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Seven of 12 participants ambulated ≥0.40 m/s using the exoskeleton.
2
There were significant inverse relationships noted between level of assistance (LOA) and EAW velocity for both 6MWT and 10MWT.
3
MI and S groups ambulated with 2-point alternating crutch pattern, whereas the Min and Mod groups favored 3-point crutch gait.

Research Summary

The primary aim was to evaluate EAW velocity, number of sessions, and LOA and the relationships among them. The secondary aims were to report on safety and the qualitative analysis of gait and posture during EAW in a hospital setting. Seven of the 12 participants were able to ambulate at least 0.40 m/s in the ReWalk. All individuals who ambulated at a velocity >0.40 m/s were able to do so with very little or no assistance (either S or MI). The results of this in-hospital study support the findings of others that the ReWalk powered exoskeleton is a safe device for ambulation. In-hospital sessions allow for researchers to study the potential medical and social benefits of regular upright ambulation in individuals with SCI.

Practical Implications

Community Ambulation Potential

The study suggests that powered exoskeletons like ReWalk can enable individuals with SCI to achieve walking velocities conducive to outdoor activity-related community ambulation.

Gait Training and Rehabilitation

In-hospital sessions with powered exoskeletons provide a safe environment for gait training, allowing researchers to study the potential medical and social benefits of regular upright ambulation in individuals with SCI.

Personalized Exoskeleton Settings

The findings highlight the importance of personalized exoskeleton settings, considering individual anatomy and weight-shifting ability, to optimize gait efficiency and velocity.

Study Limitations

1
The sample size was relatively small
2
Walking performances were measured at varying time points in the training cycle
3
Study did not permit significant results relative to the relationship of level and completeness of injury with EAW velocity

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