Kessler Foundation, West Orange, New Jersey, has released preliminary research findings from its clinical study of the Ekso Bionics Ekso exoskeleton. Gail Forrest, PhD, assistant director of human performance and engineering research, presented the research data on September 3, at the meeting of the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals at the Rio Suites, Las Vegas, Nevada. Ekso has been undergoing clinical investigation in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) at Kessler since October 2011. “Our initial research results are promising for the potential application of Ekso-assisted walking in rehabilitation, in exercise/wellness programs, in the community, and for home use,” said Forrest.
Forrest reported on data collected in 13 patients (12 with paraplegia and one with tetraplegia) with SCI (complete and incomplete injuries) enrolled in the Ekso study. Thus far, walking and standing with Ekso is feasible for people with a range of spinal cord disorders that cause paraplegia. Individuals with higher levels of spinal cord injury may also benefit, but require more time to learn Ekso-assisted walking, according to her data. Further, gait and balance data indicate positive results and progress, that is, for individuals engaging in Ekso-assisted training sessions, walking speed and distance, fluidity, gait and balance improve with training on the exoskeleton. Metabolic and cardiovascular responses were evidenced by increases in oxygen consumption, ventilation, and heart rate. These increases occurred with changes from resting to standing position and increased further with changes from standing to walking.
“These are only preliminary data,” said Forrest. “The mechanisms underlying these responses need further investigation. These findings are indicative of potential benefits for the heart, lungs, and the circulation, an important finding in this high-risk population.”
Another finding was increased muscle firing in the lower leg muscles during Ekso-assisted walking. More detailed research is also needed to evaluate the potential health benefits of this muscle activity, according to Forrest. Long-term studies are also needed to evaluate the effects on common secondary complications such as cardiovascular disease, bone and muscle loss, pressure ulcers, depression, chronic pain, and loss of bladder/bowel control.
Editor’s note: This story is adapted from materials provided by the Kessler Foundation.
