Volume 29, Issue 162, August 2025

The Role of Lower Limb Exoskeletons in the Rehabilitation of Gait Disorders: A Review

Rafał Gołacki^1♦, Michał Świta¹, Katarzyna Procajło¹, Julia Szewczyk¹

¹1Medical University of Lublin, al. Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Rafał Gołacki, Medical University of Lublin, al. Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Gait disturbances resulting from lower limb dysfunctions cause meaningful changes in the lives and independence of older adults, and the number of people affected by this problem will continue to increase in the future. Rehabilitation is the only effective method of helping patients affected by this problem. Exoskeletons are gaining value in rehabilitation, boosting safety and rehabilitation effectiveness. This article aims to assess exoskeletons, examine the utility resulting from their use, and evaluate the prospects for their further application. Methodology: Between April and June 2025, we executed a literature review using databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed. Keywords included ‘rehabilitation,’ ‘exoskeleton,’ ‘lower limb,’ and ‘dysfunction.’ We selected articles published between 2017 and 2025 based on their relevance to the use of lower limb exoskeletons in rehabilitation, and also included key earlier studies. Two reviewers analyzed and selected studies with a focus on clinical trials and systematic reviews. Result and Discussion: Researchers demonstrated in their studies that robotic exoskeletons enhance balance, gait symmetry, step length, and neuroplasticity in patients affected by stroke, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis. Clinical trials demonstrate significant functional gains compared to conventional rehabilitation. Adverse effects of exoskeleton use included fatigue, skin abrasions, and orthostatic problems; however, these were considered safe during rehabilitation. While they offer numerous benefits, there is still a lack of large-scale studies confirming all the benefits of their use. The most critical challenges facing exoskeletons are ensuring patient safety and adapting them to individual needs.

Keywords: rehabilitation, exoskeleton, dysfunction, lower limb, injury

Medical Science, 2025, 29, e130ms3623

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v29i162.e130ms3623

Published: 18 August 2025