Perspectives of individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury concerning the usability of lower limb exoskeletons: An exploratory study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lower limb exoskeletons have been developed to enable individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) to walk. Currently, they can be used by people with no motor function (SCI ASIA A or B). OBJECTIVES: To present the perspectives of individuals with ASIA C or D incomplete SCI concerning the usability of lower limb exoskeletons to R&D engineers and clinicians working in motor rehabilitation. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using semi-structured individual interviews with three videos showing exoskeletons. RESULTS: The thirteen participants (seven women, mean age [Formula: see text] 50.8 [Formula: see text] 11.7 years) reported both positive and negative perceptions. Three capabilities that can be compensated for and/or improved using an exoskeleton were mentioned, as well as seven life habits. The participants expected lower limb exoskeletons to have 11 technical characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: There is an important gap between the expectations of individuals with incomplete SCI and what can be done with existing lower limb exoskeletons in the community. This indicates that the design of future exoskeletons for individuals with incomplete SCI should allow this population to achieve capabilities and facilitate their life habits, besides the ones they already perform using their current assistive technologies.