Differentiating ability in users of the ReWalk(TM) powered exoskeleton: an analysis of walking kinematics

The ReWalk(TM) powered exoskeleton assists thoracic level motor complete spinal cord injury patients who are paralyzed to walk again with an independent, functional, upright, reciprocating gait. We completed an evaluation of twelve such individuals with promising results. All subjects met basic criteria to be able to use the ReWalk(TM)--including items such as sufficient bone mineral density, leg passive range of motion, strength, body size and weight limits. All subjects received approximately the same number of training sessions. However there was a wide distribution in walking ability. Walking velocities ranged from under 0.1m/s to approximately 0.5m/s. This variability was not completely explained by injury level The remaining sources of that variability are not clear at present. This paper reports our preliminary analysis into how the walking kinematics differed across the subjects--as a first step to understand the possible contribution to the velocity range and determine if the subjects who did not walk as well could be taught to improve by mimicking the better walkers.