Usability and Feasibility of Myosuit-Assisted Gait Rehabilitation Training in Neurological Patients

Background Lightweight, wearable robots such as the Myosuit are promising tools for inpatient gait rehabilitation and may facilitate transition of gait training to the home environment. Evidence on their usability and feasibility in both settings is limited. This study examined the safety, usability, and feasibility of Myosuit-based gait training in neurological inpatients, with attention to potential home-based training applications. Methods This interventional, open-label, non-randomized study involved inpatients with neurological gait disorders, all first-time Myosuit users. The program, additional to routine rehabilitation, comprised eight 45-minute training sessions over four weeks. Safety was monitored via adverse events/side effects. Usability was assessed with the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease of Use Questionnaire (USE). Feasibility measures included recruitment, attrition, and adherence rates, independent use, and motivation. Secondary outcomes were the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), 10-meter Walk Test, 6-minute Walk Test, and de Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI). Results Fifteen patients enrolled; ten completed the study. Adherence averaged 77.5%. No adverse events occurred. Usability was rated marginally acceptable by patients (SUS 60.77 ± 13.17; USE 4.53 ± 0.76) and therapists (SUS 65.83 ± 15.30; USE 4.87 ± 0.89). Once the device was donned, patients were able to perform all tasks with at least supervision but always required physical assistance for donning. All ten completers recommended Myosuit for clinical use; five would consider home use, typically conditional on disease progression and specific functional needs. All six therapists recommended it; five saw home potential if simplified. FAC and DEMMI improved significantly. Conclusion Myosuit-based gait training appears safe, feasible, and usable for neurological inpatients under supervision, with functional gains observed when it is combined with usual care. The need for physical assistance was concentrated in donning, suggesting that this should be performed by a therapist or at home by a trained caregiver. These findings support a hybrid home-rehabilitation model in which patients begin training in clinic and, after initial learning and adjustments, continue training regularly with caregiver assistance, complemented by periodic therapist oversight (for example, once or twice weekly) to adapt therapy, troubleshoot and ensure safety. This approach can help optimize clinical resources, sustain engagement and expand access to intensive gait rehabilitation beyond the clinic. Trial registration This study was registered under ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT05485597)