JOURNAL
The use of exoskeleton devices in pediatric rehabilitation
About the Authors
Zhangabulova B.A. – Senior nurse of the Laboratory of Robotic Rehabilitation of NJSC "National Center for Children's Rehabilitation", Astana, Kazakhstan
Kuatkhanov D.B. – Specialist of the Laboratory of Robotic Rehabilitation of NJSC "National Center for Children's Rehabilitation", Astana, Kazakhstan
Zhumadilova S.K. – Specialist of the Laboratory of Robotic Rehabilitation of NJSC "National Center for Children's Rehabilitation", Astana, Kazakhstan
Toleubekova G.M. – Specialist of the Laboratory of Robotic Rehabilitation of NJSC "National Center for Children's Rehabilitation", Astana, Kazakhstan
Tleulinova R.R. – Director of Nursing of NJSC "National Center for Children's Rehabilitation", Astana, Kazakhstan
Аbstract
This paper provides a comprehensive interdisciplinary review of the effectiveness of exoskeleton use in pediatric rehabilitation. It explores the neurophysiological mechanisms behind their application in children, focusing on neuroplasticity and motor pattern restructuring. A comparative analysis of ExoAtlet Bambini, Lokomat Junior, and Hal for Pediatric is presented. The structure of rehabilitation protocols and criteria for personalization based on international standards are outlined. Evidence is supported by recent Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)s, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) scores, Electromyography (EMG), and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data. Special emphasis is placed on the role of nursing professionals in ensuring safety, monitoring, and guiding parental involvement. The study also addresses the ethical, economic, and organizational aspects of integrating robotic rehabilitation into clinical practice. The article is grounded in peer-reviewed clinical research and highlights personnel training requirements for multidisciplinary pediatric care.
Keywords
Exoskeleton, pediatric rehabilitation, neuroplasticity, gait therapy, ExoAtlet, nursing role, clinical protocols.
References
- McIntyre S. et al. Global prevalence of cerebral palsy: A systematic analysis //Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. – 2022. – Т. 64. – №. – С. 1494-1506.
- Hunt M. et al. Effectiveness of robotic exoskeletons for improving gait in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review //Gait & Posture. – 2022. – Т. 98. – С. 343-354.
- Villani M. et al. Evaluation of EMG patterns in children during assisted walking in the exoskeleton //Frontiers in Neuroscience. – 2024. – Т. 18. – С. 1461323.
- Hui Z. et al. Efficacy of a soft robotic exoskeleton to improve lower limb motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial //Brain Sciences. – 2024. – Т. 14. – №. 5. – С. 425.
- Delgado E. et al. ATLAS2030 pediatric gait exoskeleton: changes on range of motion, strength and spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. A case series study //Frontiers in pediatrics. – 2021. – Т. 9. – С. 753226.
- Бобров П. Д. и др. Реабилитация больных с детским церебральным параличом с помощью экзоскелета кисти, управляемого интерфейсом «мозг–компьютер» //Вестник Российского государственного медицинского университета. – 2020. – №. – С. 34-41.
- Воробьев А. А. и др. Экзоскелет как новое средство в абилитации и реабилитации инвалидов (обзор) //Современные технологии в медицине. – 2015. – Т. 7. – №. – С. 185-197.
- Nefedeva D. L., Abdrakhmanova L. I., Bodrova R. A. Effectiveness of the Walkbot system in patients with infantile cerebral palsy //Physical and rehabilitation medicine, medical rehabilitation. – 2024. – Т. 6. – №. 3. – С. 253-262.
- Gonzalez A. et al. Robotic devices for paediatric rehabilitation: a review of design features //Biomedical engineering online. – 2021. – Т. 20. – С. 1-33.
- Hunt M. et al. Effectiveness of robotic exoskeletons for improving gait in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review //Gait & Posture. – 2022. – Т. 98. – С. 343-354.
- Chen J. et al. A pediatric knee exoskeleton with real-time adaptive control for overground walking in ambulatory individuals with cerebral palsy //Frontiers in Robotics and AI. – 2021. – Т. 8. – С. 702137.
- Письменная Е. В., Петрушанская К. А., Шапкова Е. Ю. Критерии освоения навыков ходьбы в экзоскелете у пациентов с последствиями позвоночно-спинномозговой травмы //Российский журнал биомеханики. – 2018. – Т. 22. – №. – С. 85-100.
- Воробьев А. А. и др. Обоснование требований к разработке экзоскелета микрохирурга //Волгоградский научно-медицинский журнал. – 2016. – №. 3. – С. 38-40.
- Даминов В. Д. Реконструкция ходьбы с применением экзоскелета в реабилитации больных с последствиями травмы спинного мозга. – С. 126-139.
- Hui Z. et al. Efficacy of a soft robotic exoskeleton to improve lower limb motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial //Brain Sciences. – 2024. – Т. 14. – №. – С. 425.
- Bulea T. C., Lerner Z. F., Damiano D. L. Repeatability of EMG activity during exoskeleton assisted walking in children with cerebral palsy: implications for real time adaptable control //2018 40th Annual international conference of the IEEE engineering in medicine and biology society (EMBC). – IEEE, 2018. – С. 2801-2804.
- Castro P. et al. Benefits of robotic gait assistance with ATLAS 2030 in children with cerebral palsy //Frontiers in Pediatrics. – 2024. – Т. 12. – С. 1398044.
- Bradley S. S. et al. Physiotherapy-assisted overground exoskeleton use: mixed methods feasibility study protocol quantifying the user experience, as well as functional, neural, and muscular outcomes in children with mobility impairments //Frontiers in Neuroscience. – 2024. – Т. 18. – С. 1398459.
- Bulekbayeva S. et al. Cerebral palsy: a multidisciplinary, integrated approach is essential //The Lancet Global Health. – 2017. – Т. 5. – №. 4. – С. e401.
- Trabacca A. et al. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for patients with cerebral palsy: improving long-term care //Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare. – 2016. – С. 455-462.

