PTOtherJournal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation2026

Methodological framework for a user-centered, structured, and digitized training program for exoskeleton pilots in CYBATHLON preparation.

Nicola Dobler, Christina Ortelt, Tobias Rieger and 1 others

PMID 42002757

WHAT IT FOUND

A 12-week trainer-focused framework provides structure for exoskeleton CYBATHLON preparation from expert interviews and a five-person focus group, but it has not been tested for pilot walking outcomes.

Key findings

01Four semi-structured interviews and a qualitative content analysis informed the framework.

02The proposed program spans twelve weeks, with three sessions per week and 38 total sessions.

03The authors state the program has limited practical testing and validation, and was shaped by constraints of one exoskeleton.

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs

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What it does not show

No patient outcomes were measured. The program has limited practical testing and validation. The framework was shaped by one exoskeleton's technical constraints. The expert and trainer input was described as relatively small. The qualitative categories were not prioritized. It targets CYBATHLON competition preparation, not general clinical rehabilitation. Trainers may come from diverse backgrounds, so physiotherapy knowledge is not guaranteed.

Declared interests

The supplied text does not report a funding or conflict-of-interest declaration. It says the work was developed within the RISE project at Technische Universität Berlin.

The easy way to misread this

Do not treat this as evidence that exoskeleton training improves walking or safety. No pilot outcomes were measured, and the authors note limited practical testing.

Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →