Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42553277›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in neurorobotics2026

Meta-analysis of the effects of lower extremity exoskeleton robot on the improvement of walking ability and curative effect in SCI patients.

Peishi Feng, Jinglong Li, Sheng Lu, XuHua Xie, Feng Wang, Yuxiang Mao

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in neurorobotics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Peishi FengCollege of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.
Jinglong LiDepartment of Orthopedics, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Sheng LuDepartment of Orthopedics, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
XuHua XieDepartment of Orthopedics, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Feng WangMedical College, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Yuxiang MaoMedical College, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to significant motor and sensory impairments, reducing independence and quality of life. Conventional rehabilitation often lacks the intensity and task specificity required for optimal gait recovery. Powered lower-limb exoskeletons have emerged as a promising adjunct to enhance functional outcomes through repetitive, task-oriented training. Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of exoskeleton-assisted rehabilitation compared with conventional therapy in improving walking ability, motor function, and activities of daily living in individuals with SCI. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases was conducted for studies published between January 2016 and December 2024. Ten controlled trials involving 412 participants were included. Primary outcomes were Berg Balance Scale (BBS), 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD), Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS), Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI-II) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Data were pooled using fixed- or random-effects models based on heterogeneity. Results: Exoskeleton-assisted rehabilitation significantly improved balance (BBS: MD 4.84, 95% CI 4.19-5.50; Conclusion: Exoskeleton-assisted rehabilitation is associated with statistically significant improvements in balance, walking performance, motor function, and functional independence in individuals with SCI compared with conventional therapy.

Indexed as

exoskeleton robotfunctional recoverygait rehabilitationmeta-analysisneuroplasticityspinal cord injury

Identifiers

PMID42553277
PMCPMC13433628

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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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.