ReWalk Robotics Ltd announces the publication of what it reports is the first systematic review and industry-wide meta-analysis of existing studies assessing the effectiveness and safety of the use of exoskeletons in patients with spinal cord injury.
The report, published recently in Medical Devices: Evidence and Research, examines 14 published studies. In total, the studies represented 111 patients; focused on ambulatory performance, physiological demand, health benefits, and safety; and incorporated a number of powered exoskeleton systems across the industry, according to a media release from ReWalk Robotics.
Per the release, the studies concluded that 76% of the patients studied were able to ambulate without any physical assistance from another human being following completion of the exoskeleton training program; Powered exoskeleton systems allow patients a safe means of ambulation conducive to prolonged use; and Routine use of the exoskeleton system is known to yield health benefits, including improvement in muscle spasticity and bowel movement regularity.
In addition, the review did not identify any serious adverse events. It also reports a low incidence rate of tethered falls and fractures subsequently addressed by refinements to exoskeleton design and patient selection criteria.
“This expansive, industry-wide review of published data offers critical confirmation of the multiple documented benefits of powered exoskeletons for the SCI community. We are pleased to see a growing acceptance and declaration of ReWalk and other exoskeleton systems as proven technologies with clear health benefits to customers,” says Larry Jasinski, chief executive officer of Marlborough, Mass-based ReWalk Robotics Ltd, in the release.
[Source(s): ReWalk Robotics Ltd, PR Newswire]
