Patients’ and therapists’ experience and perception of exoskeleton-based physiotherapy during subacute stroke rehabilitation: a qualitative analysis

Patients with stroke were even more optimistic than therapists toward the experience and benefits of exoskeleton-based gait training during subacute stroke rehabilitation. Future clinical practice should consider the balance between actual and perceived benefits, as well as the potential barriers to integrating an exoskeleton into stroke rehabilitation.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONPowered robotic exoskeletons can be used to provide higher duration and more repetitious walking practice for non-ambulatory patients with stroke.Patients with stroke view exoskeleton-based physiotherapy highly favorably, attributing greater opportunity and benefit to using the device during subacute rehabilitation.Physiotherapists should consider learning challenges, patient characteristics, and implementation barriers when integrating exoskeleton-based training within a treatment program.