Symposium

Training and Sustaining: Knowledge Translation for Exoskeleton Usage Across the Continuum of Care 0555

Corresponding Presenter(s)

• 

  Zachary C. Crump, PT, DPT, NCS

  Locomotor Specialist
  Sheltering Arms Institute
  Richmond, Virginia, United States

  Slides

Presenter(s)

• RW

  Robert A. Weisbeck, Jr., PT, DPT, NCS, FDNC

  Physical Therapy Clinical Leader
  Sheltering Arms Institute
  Mineral, Virginia, United States
• 

  Alexander Lavallis, ACSM EP-C

  Exercise Physiologist /NeuroFit Coordinator
  Sheltering Arms Corporation
  Mechanicsville, VA, United States

Non-Presenting Contributor(s)

• 

  Kierstan Gastrock, DPT, NCS

  SCI Clinical Leader Physical Therapist
  Sheltering Arms Institute
  Mechanicsville, VA, United States
• 

  Brittnay Grimm, PT, DPT

  Physical Therapist
  Sheltering Arms Institute
  Richmond, VA, United States

The use of overground exoskeletons is becoming more prevalent in rehabilitation settings. To determine the clinical effectiveness of these devices, knowledge translation strategies to increase usage amongst trained therapists and treatment strategies to maximize outcomes will become more important. As of right now, there is much variability in how overground exoskeletons are utilized across the continuum care. At the Sheltering Arms Institute, we implemented a 2-year knowledge translation initiative, using the knowledge to action cycle, from January 2022-January 2024. During this time, we were able to see our inpatient exoskeleton usage increase from 227 sessions in 2022 to 393 sessions in 2023. Our outpatient clinic also increased usage from 66 sessions in 2022 to 168 sessions in 2023. We will discuss this two-year process and share strategies to increase consistency of exoskeleton usage across the continuum of care, from inpatient to outpatient settings.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify current evidence for overground exoskeleton usage for persons with sub-acute and chronic non-progressive UMN injuries
• Describe clinicians'' barriers and facilitators to exoskeleton use in clinical settings
• List at least 2 knowledge translation strategies to increase use of exoskeletons in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Describe strategies to effectively utilize exoskeletons in outpatient therapy and community-based exercise programs post discharge from inpatient rehabilitation.
• Identify current evidence for overground exoskeleton usage for persons with sub-acute and chronic non-progressive UMN injuries