Introduction of Exercise Therapy Using Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL®) Lumbar Type for Diabetes Patients: A Pilot Study

Exercise therapy is essential for diabetes management, but adherence remains challenging for many patients. The hybrid assistive limb (HAL) lumbar type is a wearable robot that has shown effectiveness in various conditions, yet its application in diabetes patients has not been investigated.

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of exercise therapy using the HAL lumbar type for patients with diabetes and to exploratorily investigate its effects on physical function and metabolic parameters.

This pilot, prospective, single-arm study included nine patients with diabetes (mean age: 69.00±13.23 years). Participants underwent an exercise program using the HAL lumbar type, consisting of eight sessions of 60 minutes each. The program included stretching, squatting, and walking exercises, performed 1-2 times per week, with the goal of completion within 4 to 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the Sit-To-Stand test (STS test). Secondary outcomes included changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and metabolic parameters.

All participants completed the intervention without adverse events. Significant improvements were observed in the STS test (15.86±3.87 to 10.43±2.27 seconds, p<0.005), body weight (72.68±15.73 to 70.71±15.15 kg, p<0.05), and lipid metabolism parameters including total cholesterol (200.11±32.85 to 182.67±21.45 mg/dL, p<0.05) and LDL cholesterol (114.00±28.51 to 101.56±24.52 mg/dL, p<0.005).

Exercise therapy using the HAL lumbar type was safely implemented in diabetes patients and showed potential benefits in improving physical function and lipid metabolism. These findings suggest that HAL-assisted exercise therapy might be a promising new approach for diabetes management.