We’ve written about the Ekso Bionics exoskeleton in the past, about the potential it might have of getting paralyzed people on their legs, but now a study from the Kessler Foundation has shown that the electronic suit is safe and effective for gait training of stroke patients. The suit can be programmed to assist the patient in a variety of ways, including setting how much power it adds to the wearer’s own strength and the amount of time before it kicks in at every step.
In the study, eight patients used the Ekso GT robotic exoskeleton during a quarter of their therapy for a period of six weeks. The average cadence, or steps taken per minute, increased from 17.1 to 27.7 during that time. Additionally, the amount of time the study participants were able to spend standing and walking increased to 35 and 18 minutes, respectively.
Here’s a video showing off how the device is used in post stroke therapy:
Flashbacks: Ekso Bionics Sells Its First Commercial Exoskeleton…; EKSO Bionics Exoskeleton at TEDMED…; Berkeley Bionics eLEGS Exoskeleton Gets Paraplegics On Their Legs…