Conclusion
The results of a prospective, randomized, comparative study of walking training with the lower limb robotic ambulatory exoskeleton HANK, are presented. This study provides evidence of its safety and feasibility for gait training in patients with SCI less than 1 year since injury. We found that both the IG and CG subjects were able to walk faster and longer after the training programs, yet the IG patients needed less external assistance. In the light of these data, the mechanisms responsible for the improvements in exoskeleton-driven interventions should be confirmed in future multi-center efficacy trials with larger sample sizes.