Lower Extremity Muscle Strength from Using Power Exoskeletal Device Treatment and Rehabilitation in patients with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Date of Award
Spring 5-9-2026
Document Type
Non Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics
Department
Kinesiology
First Advisor
Amy Funke
Second Advisor
n/a
Third Advisor
n/a
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major contributor to loss of lower limb mobility, with an estimated 18,421 new cases reported annually in the United States. This underscores an urgent need to identify effective bracing mechanisms that enable patients to stand and walk, thereby helping them return to productive lives. To address this, the present study investigated changes in muscle strength before and after rehabilitation training with a powered exoskeleton device, the Esko Indego Personal. The clinical trial was conducted in a controlled environment within the rehabilitation center at Concordia University, Saint Paul, Minnesota. A total of 30 patents participated in the study. Participants included 21 male and 8 female from ages 18–65 years, all of whom had experienced incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) at least one year prior, with injury levels ranging from T2 to L5. Each participant possessed sufficient upper body strength and was capable of using fall-assistive devices. Data collection and analysis utilized several metrics: the powered exoskeleton-assisted device Esko Indego Personal for ambulation, a surface electromyography (sEMG) for reading and capturing targeted muscle activity and a stopwatch for time keeping. By comparing pre- and post-intervention normalized EMG amplitudes and functional metrics, this research aims to provide objective evidence that powered exoskeletons elicit measurable neuromuscular adaptations beyond the capabilities of traditional HKAFO/KAFO orthoses, ultimately establishing an evidence-based framework for optimizing rehabilitation protocols and improving functional independence in the SCI population.
Comments
Power Exoskeleton, spinal cord injury, lower extremity muscle strength