Effects of rehabilitation training in robotic exoskeleton on the quality of life of patients with spinal cord injury

The aim of the study is to assess the impact of exoskeleton training on the quality of life (QL) of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) during the recovery and the late period of the disease.

The studies involved 80 patients who received treatment in a hospital setting on a basis of the Novosibirsk Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics n.a. Y.L. Tsivyan. The comprehensive rehabilitation program consisted of 2 sessions of 20 days each and included training using the ExoAtlet powered exoskeleton, therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy. All patients completed a standardized SF-36 Health Survey Questionnaire during visits 1-4 before and after each inpatient rehabilitation interval and a month after the rehabilitation activities. The baseline QL of patients with SCI and possible impact of exoskeleton training on the psychological and physical health components of participants were estimated.

Statistically significant data on the increase in QL associated with the psychological component of health in patients with SCI during the recovery and late disease period under the influence of rehabilitation with the exoskeleton training were obtained. The quality of life parameters associated with the physical component of health also improved in participants during the recovery period of the traumatic disease, whereas in patients in the late period of it these indicators did not change significantly. In all cases the reliable changes of the studied parameters were recorded after 2 sessions of exoskeleton training only.

Thus, the use of the ExoAtlet powered exoskeleton contributes to the improving of the quality of life in patients with SCI and can be recommended for inclusion in the comprehensive rehabilitation and habilitation program of this category of patients.

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