Exoskeleton-Assisted Rehabilitation and Neuroplasticity in Spinal Cord Injury

Yana He; Yuxuan Xu; Minghang Hai; Yang Feng; Penghao Liu; Zan Chen; Wanru Duan

doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2024.01.167

Exoskeleton-Assisted Rehabilitation and Neuroplasticity in Spinal Cord Injury

World Neurosurg. 2024 Feb 5:185:45-54. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.01.167. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yana He¹, Yuxuan Xu¹, Minghang Hai¹, Yang Feng¹, Penghao Liu², Zan Chen², Wanru Duan³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
² Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, China International Neuroscience Institute(CHINA-INI), Beijing, China.
³ Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, China International Neuroscience Institute(CHINA-INI), Beijing, China. Electronic address: duanwanru@xwhosp.org.

PMID: 38320651
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.01.167

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in neurological deficits below the level of injury, causing motor dysfunction and various severe multisystem complications. Rehabilitative training plays a crucial role in the recovery of individuals with SCI, and exoskeleton serves as an emerging and promising tool for rehabilitation, especially in promoting neuroplasticity and alleviating SCI-related complications. This article reviews the classifications and research progresses of medical exoskeletons designed for SCI patients and describes their performances in practical application separately. Meanwhile, we discuss their mechanisms for enhancing neuroplasticity and functional remodeling, as well as their palliative impacts on secondary complications. The potential trends in exoskeleton design are raised according to current progress and requirements on SCI rehabilitation.

Keywords: Complications; Exoskeleton; Rehabilitation; Robot-assisted; Spinal cord injury.

Publication types

Review