Background: Powered exoskeleton can improve the mobility for people with movement deficits by providing\nmechanical support and facilitate the gait training. This pilot study evaluated the effect of gait training using a\nnewly developed powered lower limb exoskeleton robot for individuals with complete spinal cord injury (SCI).\nMethods: Two participants with a complete SCI were recruited for this clinical study. The powered exoskeleton gait\ntraining was 8 weeks, 1 h per session, and 2 sessions per week. The evaluation was performed before and after the\ntraining for (1) the time taken by the user to don and doff the powered exoskeleton independently, (2) the level of\nexertion perceived by participants while using the powered exoskeleton, and (3) the mobility performance included\nthe timed up-and-go test, 10-m walk test, and 6-min walk test with the powered exoskeleton. The safety of the\npowered exoskeleton was evaluated on the basis of injury reports and the incidence of falls or imbalance while\nusing the device.\nResults: The results indicated that the participants were donning and doffing the powered lower limb exoskeleton\nrobot independently with a lower level of exertion and walked faster and farther without any injury or fall incidence\nwhen using the powered exoskeleton than when using a kneeââ?¬â??ankleââ?¬â??foot orthosis. Bone mineral densities was also\nincreased after the gait training. No adverse effects, such as skin abrasions, or discomfort were reported while using\nthe powered exoskeleton.\nConclusions: The findings demonstrated that individuals with complete SCI used the powered lower limb
Loading....