Safety and tolerance of the ReWalk™ exoskeleton suit for ambulation by people with complete spinal cord injury: A pilot study

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2012 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772312Y.0000000003 · Published: January 1, 2012

Spinal Cord Injury Assistive Technology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

The study evaluated the safety and how well people with spinal cord injuries could use the ReWalk™ exoskeleton system. This device helps individuals with spinal cord injuries walk. Six volunteers with spinal cord injuries participated in the study. Researchers monitored various safety aspects, including falls, skin condition, and cardiovascular health. The study found that the ReWalk™ system was generally safe and well-tolerated by the participants. There were no serious safety events, and participants were able to walk a certain distance with the device after training.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

6 volunteer participants with complete spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Level 4: Case series observational study

Key Findings

1
The ReWalk™ system was found to be safe for ambulation in individuals with complete spinal cord injuries, with no adverse safety events reported during the study.
2
Participants were able to ambulate with the ReWalk™ for a distance of 100 meters after an average of 13-14 training sessions.
3
Individuals with lower-level spinal cord injuries demonstrated more efficient walking performance with the ReWalk™ compared to those with higher-level injuries.

Research Summary

This pilot study evaluated the safety and tolerance of the ReWalk™ exoskeleton system for ambulation in individuals with complete spinal cord injuries. Six participants underwent training and testing with the device. The results indicated that the ReWalk™ was safe and well-tolerated, with no significant complications related to cardiovascular stress, fatigue, skin pressure, pain, or musculoskeletal problems. Participants were able to ambulate a distance of 100 m after several training sessions. The study also found that individuals with lower-level spinal cord injuries performed walking more efficiently. The participants generally expressed positive feelings toward the device, feeling safe and comfortable with it after training.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Potential

The ReWalk™ can serve as a safe and effective rehabilitation tool for individuals with spinal cord injuries, enabling ambulation and potentially improving overall well-being.

Improved Mobility

The exoskeleton can improve functional mobility for paraplegics.

Future Applications

The technology may potentially be adapted in the future for others with walking dysfunction from stroke, cerebral palsy, myelomeningocele, traumatic brain injury, and Guillain Barré syndrome.

Study Limitations

1
The potential benefits of the ReWalk™are many, but efficacy still needs to be demonstrated in a larger study.
2
The study did not include any female participants, individuals with tetraplegia, children, or older adults.
3
The small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings.

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