Overground robotic walker use in the home and community: a six-month prospective cohort study

Outcomes following long-term use of overground robotic walkers have not been studied, even though children with mobility impairments are using these devices for extended periods. We aimed to evaluate the impacts of six months of overground robotic walker use in the home and community.

An observational cohort study was conducted with a volunteer sample of 171 participants with mobility impairments who privately obtained an overground robotic walker. Participant-initiated overground robotic walker use in the home and community was evaluated over six-months. The primary outcome of functional ability was assessed by parent report using the Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ). Secondary outcome measures were parent-reported physical activity, positive affect, sleep disturbance, and bowel movement frequency. Questionnaires were sent digitally at baseline (when users received device use training), and then 1-Month, 3-Months and 6-Months later. The device tracked monthly usage, specifically number of steps, minutes of use, average cadence (steps/minute), and the number of times the device was used.

Median participant age was 6 years (range 1 to 24), 42.1% were female, 70.8% had a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, and most were not independently ambulatory (97.3% of participants who reported function). Adjusted cumulative link mixed models demonstrated a significant main effect of time for FAQ scores, with increased log odds of a higher FAQ score at each time point (ß=0.86, 95% CI [0.25, 1.46], p = 0.006). The median FAQ score increased from 1 at baseline to 2 at subsequent time points. Adjusted repeated measures linear mixed-effects models demonstrated significant main effects of time for secondary outcomes, with improvements in physical activity scores (ß=0.96, 95% CI [0.21, 1.71], p = 0.012), sleep disturbance scores (ß=-0.82, 95% CI [-1.61, -0.04], p = 0.040), average cadence (steps/minute) (ß=1.86, 95% CI [0.61, 3.11], p = 0.004), and also decreases in the number of times the device was used per month (ß=-0.95, 95% CI [-1.63, -0.26], p = 0.007). Device usage time and total steps per month did not significantly change over time.

Six months of overground robotic walker use resulted in modest, statistically significant improvements in functional ability and secondary outcomes linked to physical inactivity. Device usage time was consistent over time, suggesting feasibility of long-term home and community use.