User satisfaction with lower limb wearable robotic exoskeletons

Abstract

Objective: To provide the results of a robotic exoskeleton user satisfaction questionnaire completed by participants utilizing two robotic exoskeletons.

Method: Seven individuals with physical disabilities engaged in two exoskeleton-assisted training phases with the REX and the Ekso 1.1 (Ekso), after which they completed a user satisfaction questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of structured items with a Likert scale, which were averaged and compared, as well as free response questions, which were interpreted thematically.

Results: Participants reported some differences in user satisfaction between the two exoskeletons. They indicated higher satisfaction with transferring in and out of the REX and with its appearance and higher satisfaction with the transportability of the Ekso. Expectations for exoskeleton use were relatively similar for the two devices, with some exceptions. Whereas participants indicated that many changes should be made to both exoskeletons, they reported that some were more necessary for the REX and others were more necessary for the Ekso. Participants reported that they would be somewhat likely to use both exoskeletons at home and in the community if they were available.

Conclusions: This brief report provides an initial comparison of user satisfaction with two exoskeletons, thereby contributing to the growing body of literature in this area.

Implications for rehabiliation

• Contributes to the literature on user satisfaction with robotic exoskeletons Implications for rehabilitation

• Emphasizes the role of user/participant/patient feedback in rehabilitation research

• Provides user satisfaction questionnaire items that can be used in future studies

Keywords:

• Wearable robotics
• exoskeleton
• user satisfaction
• user feedback

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the participants for their contribution. We also thank Taimoor Afzal, PhD; Marcie Kern, PT, MS; Laurel Patterson, MA; and Ruta Paranjape, MS, CCRP for their assistance in data collection and analysis.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society under grant PP3394 and by the Memorial Hermann Foundation.