Living with a spinal cord injury often means facing significant hurdles when trying to regain mobility. New research highlights how different types of robotic technology might help patients depending on how long ago their injury occurred. The study looked at 905 people to see if robots could improve walking and heart health more than standard physical therapy.
For those in the subacute phase—meaning they are in the first year after an injury—robotic body weight supported treadmill training showed better results. These patients saw improvements in their motor scores, walking indices, and were able to walk further during a 6-minute test compared to those doing standard therapy. The study also noted that this specific robotic method was well tolerated by patients.
For those with chronic injuries, lasting longer than a year, overground robotic exoskeleton training showed promise. These patients saw improvements in their motor scores and aerobic efficiency. While the evidence quality varies from low to moderate and more long-term data is needed, these findings suggest that choosing the right robot for the right stage of recovery could be a helpful path forward.
