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US stroke association teams with Ekso to promote exoskeleton technology

A new partnership has been launched to educate stroke survivors and the medical profession about the benefits of exoskeleton technology in stroke rehabilitation.

The National Stroke Association, a US non-profit organisation that provides stroke education and programs to stroke survivors, caregivers, and the healthcare community, and Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc., a leader in exoskeleton technology for medical and industry use, have announced an educational partnership to increase awareness of and access to advance stroke rehabilitation exoskeleton technology, which enables earlier mobility and restored independence for survivors of stroke.

The partnership will coincide with National Stroke Awareness Month, in May, and Stroke and Technology Month, in November, when the national spotlight will be on developments in technologies that provide post-stroke independence and improved health outcomes.

An estimated 17 million people around the world experience a stroke each year. More than 60% of survivors of acute stroke find themselves unable to walk or in need of intervention in walking. Impaired ambulation is greatly associated with fall risks, dependency, limited participation in social activities, and lower quality of life.

However, with the advent of robotic technologies, such as the EksoGT™, the first FDA-approved exoskeleton device for stroke rehabilitation, the possibility of assisting with walking may aid the recovery process by providing earlier mobility and restored independence.

“This campaign will supplement the reach of our current educational programs and resources for survivors and send out a message that better outcomes in stroke rehabilitation is possible through the use of an exoskeleton technology,” commented Robyn Moore, CEO of the National Stroke Association.

“We endeavour to make exoskeleton technologies, such as the EksoGT™, a part of the dialogue between survivors and their circle of care in regards to their goal to regain mobility and restored independence.”

The National Stroke Association’s mission is to reduce the incidence and impact of stroke through education and programs focused on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and support that addresses the needs of stroke survivors, caregivers and healthcare professionals in the stroke community nationwide.

It provides services to more than 90,000 stroke survivors, 30,000 caregivers and 110,000 healthcare professionals in the U.S and Canada, with the number of individuals benefiting from the National Stroke Association’s services and resources growing every day.

“As the company behind the first FDA-approved exoskeleton for stroke rehabilitation, we have inherent obligation to ensure survivors and their healthcare providers are better informed and have access to this technology,” said Jack Peurach, CEO and President of Ekso Bionics.

The National Stroke Association and Ekso Bionics educational campaign will include showcasing survivors of strokes and their care team in national and regional arenas to highlight the impact of robotic exoskeleton technologies in rehabilitation and publishing and promoting a series of educational content through Ekso Bionics’ Lean on Me podcast, the National Stroke Association’s monthly e-newsletter, and other platforms.

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