A new pilot in Singapore will assess the use and scalability of exoskeletons in rehabilitation care across various healthcare institutions, including a hospital, nursing home, and stroke support group. Led by the Temasek Foundation and Trailblazer Foundation, the programme aims to extend adoption of the technology within the local community and help more patients regain their mobility.
Called Improving Mobility Via Exoskeletons (iMOVE), the clinical study will deploy three exoskeletons–manufactured by Ekso Bionics–across five sites under the National University Health System (NUHS): Alexandra Hospital, NTUC Health, St Luke’s Eldercare, St Luke’s Hospital, and Stroke Support Station.
“It will study patient outcomes and assess the viability and potential for scaling-up the use of robotic exoskeletons across the continuum of rehabilitation care from hospital to community,” said Ekso Bionics, which added that the trial would focus on patients suffering from stroke and spinal cord injuries, in particular, the elderly.