Cost Analysis of Robotic Exoskeletons for Use in Inpatient Rehabilitation Post-Spinal Cord Injury (CARE4U In Rehab Post-SCI)

Recent healthcare technology innovations have dramatically reshaped spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery outcomes. One new type of therapy, robotic gait training (RGT), utilizes a device consisting of a motorized "exoskeleton" frame to facilitate various ambulatory activities. However, barriers such as upfront costs and stakeholder buy-in hinder further research into whether RGT surpasses usual care gait training (UC) (e.g., body weight-supported treadmill training, conventional overground walking) for treating acute SCI. Additional contributions to RGT and UC cost data via cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses would aid stakeholders in their determinations, and any significant findings could lead to the financial benefit of healthcare institutions as well as to the therapeutic benefit of patients. Recent healthcare technology innovations have dramatically reshaped spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery outcomes. One new type of therapy, robotic gait training (RGT), utilizes a device consisting of a motorized "exoskeleton" frame to facilitate various ambulatory activities. However, barriers such as upfront costs and stakeholder buy-in hinder further research into whether RGT surpasses usual care gait training (UC) (e.g., body weight-supported treadmill training, conventional overground walking) for treating acute SCI. Additional contributions to RGT and UC cost data via cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses would aid stakeholders in their determinations, and any significant findings could lead to the financial benefit of healthcare institutions as well as to the therapeutic benefit of patients.