Examining the Effect of a Powered Exoskeleton on Quality of Life in People With Spinal Cord Injury

Objective. Results of a device-training for nonambulatory individuals with thoracic and lumbar spinal cord injury (SCI) using a powered exoskeleton for technically assisted mobility with regard to the achieved level of control of the system after training, user satisfaction, and effects on quality of life (QoL).Methods. Observational single centre study with a 4-week to 5-week intensive inpatient device-training using a powered exoskeleton (ReWalk™).Results. All 7 individuals with SCI who commenced the device-training completed the course of training and achieved basic competences to use the system, that is, the ability to stand up, sit down, keep balance while standing, and walk indoors, at least with a close contact guard. User satisfaction with the system and device-training was documented for several aspects. The quality of life evaluation (SF-12v2™) indicated that the use of the powered exoskeleton can have positive effects on the perception of individuals with SCI regarding what they can achieve physically. Few adverse events were observed: minor skin lesions and irritations were observed; no falls occurred.Conclusions. The device-training for individuals with thoracic and lumbar SCI was effective and safe. All trained individuals achieved technically assisted mobility with the exoskeleton while still needing a close contact guard.

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Coping and Quality of Life in subjects with Spinal Cord Injury

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e572992012-489 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

A. Teixeira ◽

F. Machado

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Cord Injury

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The management of neurogenic bladder and quality of life in spinal cord injury

BJU International ◽

10.1111/j.1464-410x.2006.06395.x ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 98 (4) ◽

pp. 739-745 ◽

Cited By ~ 72

Author(s):

Ja Hyeon Ku

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Neurogenic Bladder ◽

Cord Injury

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Long term outcome of functional independence and quality of life after traumatic SCI in Germany

Spinal Cord ◽

10.1038/s41393-021-00659-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Florian Möller ◽

Rüdiger Rupp ◽

Norbert Weidner ◽

Christoph Gutenbrunner ◽

Yorck B. Kalke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Term Outcome ◽

Long Term Outcome ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Over Time

Abstract Study design Multicenter observational study. Objective To describe the long-term outcome of functional independence and quality of life (QoL) for individuals with traumatic and ischemic SCI beyond the first year after injury. Setting A multicenter study in Germany. Methods Participants of the European multicenter study about spinal cord injury (EMSCI) of three German SCI centers were included and followed over time by the German spinal cord injury cohort study (GerSCI). Individuals’ most recent spinal cord independence measure (SCIM) scores assessed by a clinician were followed up by a self-report (SCIM-SR) and correlated to selected items of the WHO short survey of quality of life (WHO-QoL-BREF). Results Data for 359 individuals were obtained. The average time passed the last clinical SCIM examination was 81.47 (SD 51.70) months. In total, 187 of the 359 received questionnaires contained a completely evaluable SCIM-SR. SCIM scores remained stable with the exception of reported management of bladder and bowel resulting in a slight decrease of SCIM-SR of −2.45 points (SD 16.81). SCIM-SR scores showed a significant correlation with the selected items of the WHO-QoL-BREF (p < 0.01) with moderate to strong influence. Conclusion SCIM score stability over time suggests a successful transfer of acquired independence skills obtained during primary rehabilitation into the community setting paralleled by positively related QoL measurements but bladder and bowel management may need special attention.

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