Exoskeletal-Assisted Walking in SCI Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation

The purpose of this research study is to test the effect of early exoskeletal-assisted walking (EAW) training (combined into regular acute inpatient rehabilitation (AIR)) on improving functional recovery and reducing pain and inflammation. Powered exoskeletons are a technology that offer standing and walking for certain persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) who meet the using indication of the device and have been used in the chronic SCI population with positive benefits in ability to move, daily function (such as bathing and dressing), body composition (such as lean and fat tissue mass), and quality of life (QOL). Despite the potential for EAW to promote functional recovery and reduce secondary medical complications (such as urinary tract infections and pain), no reports exist on the use of exoskeletons in AIR.