Study of a Robotic Exoskeleton for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Adults with Spinal Cord Injuries

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a commercial robotic orthosis, also known as a robotic exoskeleton, for upper limb rehabilitation in patients with spinal cord injuries. The study focuses on tetraplegic inpatients with specific spinal injury levels and aims to assess improvements in arm function and independence. The study is conducted in two neuro-rehabilitation centers within the NHS in the UK, involving nine participants in total. Participants will undergo a twelve-week rehabilitation program using the Myomo robotic orthosis on their dominant arm, combined with their usual care and traditional rehabilitation. They will attend three to four sessions per week, each lasting about 45 minutes. The non-dominant arm will receive only the traditional rehabilitation, serving as a control for comparison. The study evaluates the use of this device alongside standard rehabilitation practices. Throughout the study, participants will be assessed at the start, midpoint 6 weeks, and end 12 weeks of the program. Measurements will include arm function, range of motion, spasticity level, and independence using clinical tools like the Spinal Cord Independence Measure version III SCIM III and others. Researchers will also gather feedback on patient and therapist satisfaction with the robotic device. The total participation duration is approximately 12 weeks, with ongoing monitoring of clinical changes.

Assessment of a Robotic Exoskeleton for Upper Limb Rehabilitation