Passive exoskeletons in healthcare practice: Usability and acceptance in a clinical setting

Exoskeletons are gaining interest as ergonomic tools, but healthcare tasks' variability, hygiene standards, and emergency demands pose challenges. Despite the high rate of musculoskeletal disorders, it remains unclear how feasible exoskeletons are in clinical practice.

In a clinical field trial at University Hospital Magdeburg, 17 healthcare professionals tested a passive exoskeleton over two months. Participants chose when to wear it. Data included wear duration, questionnaires on usability, support, comfort, technology affinity, and semi-structured interviews.

Participants wore the exoskeleton for 312 h total (average 20 h/person across three shifts), mostly for specific tasks. All found it easy to use, but support and comfort ratings varied. Some noted improved posture and back stability; others reported discomfort and restricted movement. The mean overall rating was 2.7 ± 0.99 (German school grading). Further research is needed on long-term effects and task-specific use. A return on investment is possible if at least 18.5 sick days of a nurse per year are prevented, with purchase costs expected to drop. In settings with staff shortages, indirect effects may lower this threshold to 2.7 days.