ReviewJournal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation2023
The-state-of-the-art of soft robotics to assist mobility: a review of physiotherapist and patient identified limitations of current lower-limb exoskeletons and the potential soft-robotic solutions.
Review in Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
17 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Flexible exoskeleton-assisted training enhances lower limb motor function after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of neurology · 2025Pooled it
- Turns and Turn-Related Falls: Stepping on a Rotating Platform as a Potential Approach to Foster Adapted Muscular and Neural Plasticity in Fragile Persons and Patients with Motor Impairment.Brain sciences · 2026Article
- Merging neural stimulation and exoskeletons to enhance sensorimotor hand functions after brain or spinal cord injury.Science advances · 2026Article
- Global research hotspots and trends of upper limb rehabilitation robots based on web of science database (2005-2025).Journal of robotic surgery · 2026Article
- Smart exoskeleton-assisted rehabilitation after fracture surgery: closed-loop control, personalized load management, and integrated telemonitoring.Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2026Review
- A compact external-rail linear actuation mechanism with a high stroke-to-length ratio for wearable exoskeleton applications.Frontiers in robotics and AI · 2026Article
- Assistive Technologies for Individuals with a Disability from a Neurological Condition: A Narrative Review on the Multimodal Integration.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Patient performance assessment methods for upper extremity rehabilitation in assist-as-needed therapy strategies: a comprehensive review.Medical & biological engineering & computing · 2025Review
- Soft Robotics in Upper Limb Neurorehabilitation and Assistance: Current Clinical Evidence and Recommendations.Soft robotics · 2025Review
- Effect and optimal exercise prescription of robot-assisted gait training on lower extremity motor function in stroke patients: a network meta-analysis.Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology · 2025Review
- Exoskeletons for the rehabilitation of temporomandibular disorders: a comprehensive review.Frontiers in robotics and AI · 2025Review
- Tailoring robot-assisted arm training to individuals with stroke: bridging neuroscience principles and clinical practice.Frontiers in neurology · 2025Article
- Understanding the perspectives of older adults and physiotherapists on home-based lower-limb exoskeletons.Wearable technologies · 2025Article
- Development and validation of a sliding type continuous passive motion automation device for evaluation and rehabilitation of frozen shoulder: a pilot study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences · 2025Article
- Design of an SMA-Based Actuator for Replicating Normal Gait Patterns in Pediatric Patients with Cerebral Palsy.Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- Exoskeleton technology in nursing practice: assessing effectiveness, usability, and impact on nurses' quality of work life, a narrative review.BMC nursing · 2024Review
- Inertial sensors for gait monitoring and design of adaptive controllers for exoskeletons after stroke: a feasibility study.Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundSoft, wearable, powered exoskeletons are novel devices that may assist rehabilitation, allowing users to walk further or carry out activities of daily living. However, soft robotic exoskeletons, and the more commonly used rigid exoskeletons, are not widely adopted clinically. The available evidence highlights a disconnect between the needs of exoskeleton users and the engineers designing devices. This review aimed to explore the literature on physiotherapist and patient perspectives of the longer-standing, and therefore greater evidenced, rigid exoskeleton limitations. It then offered potential solutions to these limitations, including soft robotics, from an engineering standpoint.
methodsA state-of-the-art review was carried out which included both qualitative and quantitative research papers regarding patient and/or physiotherapist perspectives of rigid exoskeletons. Papers were themed and themes formed the review's framework.
resultsSix main themes regarding the limitations of soft exoskeletons were important to physiotherapists and patients: safety; a one-size-fits approach; ease of device use; weight and placement of device; cost of device; and, specific to patients only, appearance of the device. Potential soft-robotics solutions to address these limitations were offered, including compliant actuators, sensors, suit attachments fitting to user's body, and the use of control algorithms.
conclusionsIt is evident that current exoskeletons are not meeting the needs of their users. Solutions to the limitations offered may inform device development. However, the solutions are not infallible and thus further research and development is required.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.