Exoskeletons for rehabilitation and personal mobility: Creating clinical evidence

Abstract

Exoskeletons are devices which have recently gained substantial attention in the field of rehabilitation, especially for use in individuals with neurological disorders (ND). In individuals with ND, mobility limitations and subsequent reduced activity levels contribute to significant reductions in quality of life. Wearable robots or exoskeletons hold much promise to fulfill this unmet need of over-ground mobility and unimpaired gait. However, variable research evidence and clinical efficacy are deterring the impact of these eloquent devices from being introduced into everyday rehabilitation practice. This research summary will highlight some research studies conducted at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) with various exoskeletons, focusing on their clinical efficacy and personal mobility outcomes.