Hybrid assistive limb exoskeleton HAL® in the rehabilitation of chronic SCI: Proof of concept, the results of 21 patients.

Hybrid assistive limb exoskeleton HAL® in the rehabilitation of chronic SCI: Proof of concept, the results of 21 patients.

World Neurosurg. 2017 Oct 25;:

Authors: Jansen O, Grasmuecke D, Meindl RC, Tegenthoff M, Schwenkreis P, Sczesny-Kaiser M, Wessling M, Schildhauer TA, Fisahn C, Aach M

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The use of mobile exoskeletons is becoming more and more common in the field of spinal cord injury rehabilitation. The hybrid assistive limb exoskeleton (HAL) provides a tailored support depending on the patient's voluntary drive.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: After a pilot study which included 8 chronic SCI patients (2014), this study of 21 chronic SCI patients serves as a proof of concept. It was conducted to provide further evidence regarding the efficacy of exoskeletal-based rehabilitation. Functional assessment included walking speed, distance, and time on a treadmill with additional analysis of functional mobility using the following tests: 10-m walk test (10MWT); timed-up and go test (TUG test); 6-minute walk test (6MWT); and the walking index for SCI II (WISCI II) score.
RESULTS: After a training period of 90 days, all 21 patients significantly improved their functional/ambulatory mobility without the exoskeleton. Patients were assessed using the 6MWT, TUG test, and the 10MWT, which also indicated an increase in the WISCI II score as well as significant improvements of HAL-associated walking speed, distance, and time.
CONCLUSION: Although, exoskeletons are not yet an established treatment in the rehabilitation of spinal cord injuries, the devices will play a more important role in the future. The hybrid assistive limb exoskeleton (HAL) training enables effective, body-weight-supported treadmill training and is capable of improving ambulatory mobility. Future controlled studies are required in order to compare the new advances in the field of SCI rehabilitation to traditional over-ground training.

PMID: 29081392 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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