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A clinical test of whether bionic robotics can improve mobility in people with relapsing or progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and considerable disability is now recruiting participants, after being approved by the U.K. National Health Service’s Health Research Authority (HRA) ethics committee.
The trial, called RAPPER 3 (Robot Assisted Physiotherapy Exercises with Rex III), will be conducted at the Canterbury site of the East Kent Hospital’s University Foundation Trust (EKHUFT), and is expected to begin the first of 10 patient evaluations on April 19.
It will evaluate the feasibility and safety of using Rex Bionics‘s REX robot exoskeleton device as a hands-free rehabilitation aid for people with MS who have moderate to severely restricted mobility. The trial aims to have each patient complete a four-week “transfer, stand, balance, and walk” rehab program, and demonstrate better strength, improved balance and balance-related skills, and walking ability. Secondary trial goals include improved Multiple Sclerosis Walking scale (MSWS-12) and the Multiple Sclerosis Impact scale (MSIS-29) scores.
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