Abstract
Objectives
This review provides an overview of exoskeleton use in rehabilitation. The review maps the health conditions, exoskeleton design, activities, and outcome measures used.
Methods
A search of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science and Scopus databases was completed on 12th September 2024. Data items charted from studies included health conditions, exoskeleton characteristics, activities completed with the exoskeletons and outcome measures.
Results
A total of 7028 records were identified, with 139 studies included. The predominant health conditions using exoskeletons in rehabilitation were stroke and spinal cord injury. The most common activities undertaken were indoor overground walking, balance, and transfers. However, only 4% of studies utilised exoskeletons at home or in community settings. A range of outcome measures were used, with the 10-metre walk test being the most commonly used for the assessment of walking velocity, the 6-minute walk test for walking distance or capacity and the Berg balance scale for balance.
Conclusions
Exoskeletons were used for rehabilitation across various conditions, notably neurological and, less extensively, musculoskeletal conditions. Functional activities such as walking were most common, with most studies assessing on indoor walking. Exoskeletons still need to show their ability to assist individuals walking at home and/or in community environments and handling complex walking tasks. Therefore, it is important that future research focuses on complex walking tasks within the home and community environments, which will inform future exoskeleton utilisation, design and development.
This review provides an overview of exoskeleton use in rehabilitation. The review maps the health conditions, exoskeleton design, activities, and outcome measures used.
Methods
A search of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science and Scopus databases was completed on 12th September 2024. Data items charted from studies included health conditions, exoskeleton characteristics, activities completed with the exoskeletons and outcome measures.
Results
A total of 7028 records were identified, with 139 studies included. The predominant health conditions using exoskeletons in rehabilitation were stroke and spinal cord injury. The most common activities undertaken were indoor overground walking, balance, and transfers. However, only 4% of studies utilised exoskeletons at home or in community settings. A range of outcome measures were used, with the 10-metre walk test being the most commonly used for the assessment of walking velocity, the 6-minute walk test for walking distance or capacity and the Berg balance scale for balance.
Conclusions
Exoskeletons were used for rehabilitation across various conditions, notably neurological and, less extensively, musculoskeletal conditions. Functional activities such as walking were most common, with most studies assessing on indoor walking. Exoskeletons still need to show their ability to assist individuals walking at home and/or in community environments and handling complex walking tasks. Therefore, it is important that future research focuses on complex walking tasks within the home and community environments, which will inform future exoskeleton utilisation, design and development.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-19 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Physical Therapy Reviews |
| Early online date | 16 Feb 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 16 Feb 2025 |