Exoskeletons
Veterans Administration, Et al.
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June 04, 2026
VA's Center on the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury is located at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx, New York. The center's mission is to improve Veterans' quality of life and increase their longevity by preventing and intervening in the secondary medical consequences that result from having a spinal cord injury. These consequences can include bone and muscle loss, and metabolic and cardiovascular changes.
Researchers at the center continue to study an Israeli technology that allows people with paralysis to stand, walk, and climb stairs, called ReWalk. ReWalk 6.0 is a wearable robotic exoskeleton that provides powered hip and knee motion to enable individuals with spinal cord injury to stand upright, walk, and turn. On their first day using the device, most people can stand and take a few steps, although it takes practice and training to use it properly.
Participants in past studies have lost fat tissue, their bowel function has improved, and their diabetes symptoms have been reduced. The center is now conducting a further trial on ReWalk's impact on mobility, bowel function, and cardio-metabolic health. The four-year study, involving 160 paralyzed Veterans with spinal cord injury at 10 VA medical centers, is examining the impact of the robotic exoskeleton on home and everyday life. Enrollment is expected to be completed in August 2020.
In 2014, ReWalk version 6.0 was approved for sale in the United States. In 2015, VA announced it would provide the device to eligible Veterans who could benefit from it.
For citations and full article visit: https://www.research.va.gov/topics/prosthetics.cfm#research5
Researchers at the center continue to study an Israeli technology that allows people with paralysis to stand, walk, and climb stairs, called ReWalk. ReWalk 6.0 is a wearable robotic exoskeleton that provides powered hip and knee motion to enable individuals with spinal cord injury to stand upright, walk, and turn. On their first day using the device, most people can stand and take a few steps, although it takes practice and training to use it properly.
Participants in past studies have lost fat tissue, their bowel function has improved, and their diabetes symptoms have been reduced. The center is now conducting a further trial on ReWalk's impact on mobility, bowel function, and cardio-metabolic health. The four-year study, involving 160 paralyzed Veterans with spinal cord injury at 10 VA medical centers, is examining the impact of the robotic exoskeleton on home and everyday life. Enrollment is expected to be completed in August 2020.
In 2014, ReWalk version 6.0 was approved for sale in the United States. In 2015, VA announced it would provide the device to eligible Veterans who could benefit from it.
For citations and full article visit: https://www.research.va.gov/topics/prosthetics.cfm#research5