FEASIBILITY AND SAFETY OF A POWERED EXOSKELETON FOR BALANCE TRAINING FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: A SINGLE-GROUP PRELIMINARY STUDY (RAPPER III)

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, usability, safety, and potential health benefits of using an exoskeleton device for rehabilitation of people living with multiple sclerosis.Design: Single-group preliminary study. Subjects: Eleven adults living with multiple scle-rosis, with Expanded Disability Status Scores that ranged from 6 to 7.5 (mean age (standard devia-tion; SD) 54.2 (11.8) years), were recruited.Methods: Individual participants undertook a balance rehabilitation exercise programme using the Rex Rehab robotic exoskeleton device. Each partici-pant undertook 4 x 45-60 min supervised, balance exercise sessions. Primary outcomes were: (i) the number of participants who completed the trial protocol safely, and (ii) the number and nature of adverse events reported. Secondary outcomes were: mobility; balance; spasticity; sleep; functional inde-pendence; quality of life; and device satisfaction.Results: Ten out of 11 participants completed the trial protocol safely. Four adverse events were recorded (1 serious), all of which were deemed unrelated to the trial. Secondary outcomes sho-wed allied improvements in balance, joint mobility, spasticity and quality of life. All participants found the device acceptable to use.Conclusion: These results suggest that it is feasible and safe to use the Rex Rehab exoskeleton device to assist with balance rehabilitation for people living with multiple sclerosis.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of using an exoskeleton device for rehabilitation of patients with multiple sclerosis. The results showed that using the Rex Rehab exoskeleton device for balance rehabilitation had positive effects on balance, joint mobility, spasticity, and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis. The majority of participants were satisfied with the device.