Effect of an exosuit on gait capacity in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury: A cross-sectional study

CONTEXT: Individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) often have reduced gait capacity. Passive assistive devices can provide support, but they are usually suboptimal in terms of gait efficiency and speed. Exosuits, soft actively powered devices, provide additional torques around the leg joints that may improve gait capacity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a bilaterally configured exosuit providing hip and knee extension support on gait capacity in individuals with iSCI. METHODS: Thirty-one participants with iSCI received a five-session training program to adapt to the exosuit (MyoSuit). They subsequently performed the 10-Meter Walk Test at preferred and maximum walking speed and the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), under two conditions: walking with the exosuit and walking without it. RESULTS: Preferred walking speed was significantly lower with the exosuit compared to walking without (median difference: -0.03 m/s, p = 0.002, r=-0.6). No significant differences were found for maximum walking speed (median difference: -0.04 m/s, p = 0.08), walking distance during the 6MWT (median difference: -11 m, p = 0.11), or perceived exertion during the 6MWT (median difference: 0, p = 0.41). CONCLUSION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05605912. Registered on October 19, 2022.