The ReWalk Powered Exoskeleton to Restore Ambulatory Function to Individuals with Thoracic-Level Motor-Complete Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

ReWalk holds considerable potential as a safe ambulatory powered orthosis for motor-complete thoracic-level spinal cord injury patients. Most subjects achieved a level of walking proficiency close to that needed for limited community ambulation. A high degree of performance variability was observed across individuals. Some of this variability was explained by level of injury, but other factors have not been completely identified. Further development and application of this rehabilitation tool to other diagnoses are expected in the future.

Effects of training with the ReWalk exoskeleton on quality of life in incomplete spinal cord injury: a single case study

“…1,17 This is only one result in accordance to other results which helps to reduce the risk factors of SCI patients.…”

“…Esquenazi et al 1 obtained an improvement of intestinal regulation in 5 out of 11 patients with the ReWalk. If these results will be shown in further studies, then this would be an important foundation to justify the use of the exoskeleton in the rehabilitation centre or aid regulation for the use at home.…”

“…In order to allow patients to stand up, to walk and to climb stairs, despite the lack of neuromuscular function of the lower extremity, 1 the Company ReWalk Robitics from Israel developed the ReWalk system. Electric motors at the knee and hip joints of the exoskeleton replace the step movements of the user.…”

“…During this phase the patient received standard physiotherapy three times per week (2 × 60 min and 1 × 30 min) including standing and trunk stability exercises. 1 Intervention phase (Phase B) with gait training using the ReWalk exoskeleton lasted 6 months and outcome measures were taken at predefined intervals.…”

The influence of orthosis options on walking parameters in spinal cord-injured patients: a literature review

“…Nine studies analyzed gait parameters in SCI patients as powered orthoses and exoskeleton. [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] These studies had a low level of evidence according to the PEDro score (2/10). Powered lower limb orthoses such as the HAL-5 Type-C (hybrid assistive limb), which has five electric motors 45,50 the ReWalk powered orthosis (Argo Medical Technologies), 42,43 the wearable power assist locomotor (WPAL) 41 and the e LEGS powered orthosis (Berkeley Bionics) are all examples of commercially developed powered orthoses designed for walking by individuals with paraplegia.…”