Exoskeletal Assisted Walking Therapy
Mount Sinai offers a unique program for patients receiving inpatient and outpatient services who have paralysis, physical or neurological limitations from a spinal cord injury, stroke, Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), or brain injury that limits their ability to stand and/or walk.
Our exoskeletal assisted walking therapy program can begin as soon you are cleared by your doctor. Some of the potential benefits that may be expected from exoskeletal-assisted walking include improvements with walking in the home or community, improved self-esteem from being at eye level, improved bowel and bladder function, less interrupted sleep and daytime fatigue, and weight loss.
Walking Devices
Mount Sinai offers two types of powered exoskeletons for exoskeletal-assisted walking (EAW), the Ekso NR and the Ekso Indego.
The Ekso NR is an exoskeleton device for people who have had spinal cord injuries (SCI), strokes, or other conditions affecting walking. Designed to support patients to re-learn standing, weight shifting and stepping patterns for walking, the Ekso NR helps patients improve speed, stamina, balance, and motor control.
EksoNR is a robotic exoskeleton specifically designed to be used in a rehabilitation setting to progress neurorehab patients so they can improve their ability to walk in the home and in the community. As the first exoskeleton FDA-cleared for acquired brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injury, EksoNR offers the industry’s most natural gait, re-teaching the brain and muscles how to properly walk again.
Ekso Indego is a lower limb powered exoskeleton which enables therapists to offer task specific and intensive gait training. Sophisticated motors in the knee and hip joints, combined with advanced sensors and control strategies, allow individuals with weakness or paralysis in their lower extremities to stand and walk again. Not only is Ekso Indego a therapeutic device, it is also a personal use device, meaning it is FDA approved for persons with spinal cord injury levels of T3 to L5 to be used in community or home settings. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) finalized a reimbursement rate for Ekso Indego Personal in April 2024. Today Medicare beneficiaries with spinal cord injuries now have access to potentially achieve greater independence at home and in the community through our life-changing technology.
Research Opportunities
Mount Sinai and our affiliates offer several different opportunities to participate in research related to exoskeleton-assisted walking. Currently, there are three active research studies for individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) if they qualify. If you are deemed eligible, there is no charge for participating. To learn more about our research programs, please contact us at 212-241-7073.