Health and economic benefits of physical activity for patients with spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to physical deconditioning due to limited mobility, impacting health and increasing medical costs. Many SCI patients don't get enough physical activity to benefit their health. New technologies are needed to help SCI patients safely engage in physical activity. Starting physical activity soon after injury can lead to significant lifetime cost savings by reducing hospitalizations and reliance on care. The clinical and economic burden of SCI is substantial and likely to remain a major societal issue. Though a definite cure remains elusive, physical deterioration may be partially offset by engaging in even modest levels of physical activity on a routine basis.

• 1
  Approximately 65% of the spinal cord-injured population in the US engages in insufficient physical activity.
• 2
  Patients who commence routine physical activity in the first post-injury year would realize US$290,000 to US$435,000 in lifetime cost savings.
• 3
  Powered exoskeletons allow patients with SCI to safely ambulate in real-world settings at a physical activity intensity conducive to prolonged use and known to yield health benefits.