CLINICAL TRIAL APPLICATIONS OF THE LOCOMOTION EXOSKELETON "EXOATLET" IN SPINAL PATIENTS
Background: Restoring the ability to walk is one of the priority tasks for the rehabilitation of spinal patients. Methods: The purpose of our clinical study was to assess the applicability, efficacy and ergonomics of the electro-mechanical exoskeleton «ExoAtlet» in patients with paraplegia as a result of spinal cord injury. The duration of the clinical trial was three calendar months between June and September 2016. Each training program consisted of 10 training sessions, including walking in the ExoAtlet exoskeleton, lasting about 60-80 minutes, 5 times a week, for 2 weeks. In the trial were included 10 patients. Results: There were 2 developed complications associated with unilateral overload of the distal joints of the lower limb/ Exoskeleton training is safe if selection criteria are met and do not require special monitoring of the cardiovascular system. The speed of the walking in the exoskeleton in the pilots is different and, first, depends on the level of injury of the spinal cord. Conclusion The proposed training program in the exoskeleton «ExoAtlet» leads to a decrease in the tone of the muscles of the lower limbs and improvement of the psycho-emotional status in the examined patients.