Objective:

This study investigated the expectations of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) regarding exoskeletons.

Design:

The survey consisted out of questions regarding multiple aspects of exoskeleton technology.

Setting:

An online survey was distributed via the monthly newsletter of the Dutch Patient Association for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).

Participants:

Individuals with SCI who are members of the Dutch Patient Association for SCI.

Outcome Measures:

General impression of exoskeleton technology, expectations regarding capabilities and user-friendliness, training expectations and experiences, future perspectives and points of improvement.

Results:

The survey was filled out by 95 individuals with SCI, exoskeletons were considered positive and desirable by 74.7%. About 11 percent (10.5%) thought one could ambulate faster, or just as fast, while wearing an exoskeleton as able-bodied people. Furthermore, 18.9% expected not to use a wheelchair or walking aids while ambulating with the exoskeleton. Twenty-five percent believed that exoskeletons could replace wheelchairs. Some main points of improvement included being able to wear the exoskeleton in a wheelchair and while driving a car, not needing crutches while ambulating, and being able to put the exoskeleton on by oneself.

Conclusion:

Individuals with SCI considered exoskeletons as a positive and desirable innovation. But based on the findings from the surveys, major points of improvement are necessary for exoskeletons to replace wheelchairs in the future. For future exoskeleton development, we recommend involvement of individuals with SCI to meet user expectations and improve in functionality, usability and quality of exoskeletons.

中文翻译：

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外骨骼设计建议：脊髓损伤患者的观点

客观的：

本研究调查了脊髓损伤 (SCI) 患者对外骨骼的期望。

设计：

该调查包含有关外骨骼技术多个方面的问题。

环境：

荷兰脊髓损伤患者协会 (SCI) 的月刊发布了一项在线调查。

参加者：

属于 SCI 荷兰患者协会成员的 SCI 患者。

结果措施：

外骨骼技术的总体印象、对功能和用户友好性的期望、培训期望和经验、未来前景和改进点。

结果：

该调查由 95 名 SCI 患者填写，74.7% 的人认为外骨骼是积极和理想的。大约 11% (10.5%) 的人认为穿着外骨骼的人可以走得更快，或者走得和身体健全的人一样快。此外，18.9% 的人预计在使用外骨骼行走时不会使用轮椅或助行器。25% 的人认为外骨骼可以替代轮椅。一些主要改进点包括能够在轮椅上和驾驶汽车时佩戴外骨骼，行走时不需要拐杖，以及能够自己穿上外骨骼。

结论：

患有 SCI 的人认为外骨骼是一种积极和理想的创新。但根据调查结果，未来外骨骼要取代轮椅，还需要重点改进。对于未来的外骨骼开发，我们建议让具有 SCI 的个人参与，以满足用户期望并改进外骨骼的功能、可用性和质量。