Study design Qualitative, in-depth research interviews led by a theme-based interview guide. Objectives To generate new knowledge regarding user experiences of standing and walking with Ekso™ (Ekso Bionics, Richmond, CA, USA). Setting In-patient rehabilitation hospital in Norway. Methods Systematic inductive content analyses were used, utilizing a pattern theory of self as an analytical framework. Results The participants shared powerful stories, describing largely positive but also challenging emotions and perceptions, related to standing and walking with Ekso™. Four themes emerged: (1) bodily positions, possibilities and feelings, (2) reactivation of loss and hope for the future, (3) to be free and restricted at the same time, and (4) to be controlled and take control. The results indicate that both walking and using a wheelchair involve more than getting from one place to another, as fundamental aspects of being human are touched, involving facilitating a coherent understanding of the self and, on the other hand, leading to an "objectification" of the body. Conclusions This explorative study points toward contrasts involved when using Ekso™. More studies of lived experiences with walking in Ekso™ are needed, comprising larger samples, variations in participant characteristics and diagnoses as well as contexts.

中文翻译：

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“回到与其他人相同的水平”——用户对使用外骨骼行走的看法，一项定性研究。


研究设计 由基于主题的访谈指南引导的定性、深入的研究访谈。目标 生成有关使用 Ekso™（Ekso Bionics，里士满，加利福尼亚州，美国）的用户站立和行走体验的新知识。在挪威设置住院康复医院。方法采用系统归纳内容分析，以自我模式理论作为分析框架。结果 参与者分享了强有力的故事，描述了与使用 Ekso™ 站立和行走相关的大部分积极但也具有挑战性的情绪和看法。出现了四个主题：（1）身体位置、可能性和感受，（2）重新激活失落和对未来的希望，（3）自由和限制同时存在，以及（4）被控制和控制。结果表明，步行和使用轮椅不仅仅涉及从一个地方到另一个地方，因为触及了人类的基本方面，涉及促进对自我的连贯理解，另一方面，导致“客观化”身体的。结论 这项探索性研究指出了使用 Ekso™ 时所涉及的对比。需要对 Ekso™ 中行走的生活体验进行更多研究，包括更大的样本、参与者特征和诊断以及背景的变化。