Examining the Effects of a Powered Exoskeleton on Quality of Life and Secondary Impairments in People Living With Spinal Cord Injury

Secondary impairments associated with spinal cord injury (SCI) limit one's independent functionality and negatively impact quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study was to explore changes in secondary health conditions that may result from using a powered exoskeleton as well as their potential impact on QoL. Forty-five participants presenting with SCI ranging from T3-L2 were included in this study. Outcome measures included self-reported assessments of pain, spasticity, bladder/bowel function, Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Participants reported significantly less spasticity at the conclusion of the study, 0.9 ± 1.7, compared to baseline, 1.6 ± 0.9 [ (44) = 2.83, < .001]. MAS testing revealed that 26.7% of participants presented with decreased spasticity at the conclusion of the trial. Participants reported less pain at the end of the trial, 0.9 ± 1.6, compared to the start, 1.1 ± 1.7 [ (44) = 1.42, > .05]. No negative changes in bowel and bladder were reported; positive changes were reported by 20% and 9% of participants with respect to bowel and bladder management. There was no statistically significant change in SWLS sum score from baseline, 20.4 ± 8.0, to conclusion of the study, 21.3 ± 7.6 [ (44) = -1.1, > .05]. Findings suggest using a powered exoskeleton may decrease spasticity in people living with SCI. Although improvements in secondary impairments did not result in a significant improvement in QoL, it is believed that using a powered exoskeleton in one's community will lead to increased community integration facilitating an improvement in QoL.