Everyone will stand up
In a year, the exoskeleton developer ExoAtlet intends to roll out the final stage of external rehabilitation in Russia, according to statements made by company president Ekaterina Bereziy in an interview with socialbites.ca.
The initial pilot will introduce exo-gyms in several Russian regions. These spaces will serve as training hubs where patients can regularly and consistently practice with exoskeletons, advancing their rehabilitation through ongoing sessions.
The exoskeleton assists in rehabilitating individuals affected by spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, infantile cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and the aftereffects of stroke.
“The objective is to begin the final phase of exorehabilitation. The aim is to provide patients with structured education during their clinic stay, enabling them to resume greater independence after discharge, and to scale up access through multiple stages. The first step is the launch of pilot exo-gym projects across Russia,” Bereziy explained.
These outpatient centers will collaborate with clinics to guide patients toward continued exercise after a two-week hospital stay. An hour of training in such an exo-gym is priced at 6.5 thousand rubles.
Bereziy noted that the first ExoGym will cater to children, with ExoAthlet launching in Moscow alongside MedScan. The exact date for opening the juvenile exogym remains to be announced.
“Some plans have slowed due to the unstable situation. While earlier charitable partners were ready to work with us and sponsorship proposals were in place, current conditions have reduced their availability in Russia. Efforts are ongoing to secure funding, including an application for the Presidential Grant Fund. Results are anticipated in June. If approved, the project could begin immediately,” he said.
Operating exo-gyms represents a crucial phase of exorehabilitation. Today, patients may be hospitalized in clinics with an available exoskeleton, but after two weeks and ten prescribed training sessions, many leave while continuing their studies remotely.
“The question of how to sustain education afterward remains. This third stage of rehabilitation is not yet consistently implemented. Private clinics offer outpatient training, but such facilities are few and not widely accessible. The goal is to make exo-gyms as common as inpatient rehabilitation, integrate this service into standard care, establish a tariff, and ensure coverage by compulsory health insurance—an implementation target that could take about two years.”
Additionally, it is proposed that exo-therapy become a mandatory component of standard medical care in the future.
“The method has demonstrated economic and clinical effectiveness. The next step is to make exoskeletal rehabilitation a universal option in clinics. There is also a push to build a social network where patients and doctors can share experiences, support each other, and stay motivated,” a Russian publication reported.
How does it work?
The exoskeleton acts as a supportive device that enables a paralyzed individual to walk with the ease of a healthy person. This exorehabilitation modality combines supervised neurotraining with activities such as walking and stair climbing.
The device is adjusted to fit the patient’s height. In a sitting position, the user dons the exoskeleton, then is placed in an upright stance. The user does not bear the full weight of the device; instead, the exoskeleton facilitates walking in a way that resembles tackling various obstacles.
The system offers three control options to maintain balance and assist the user: a joystick linked to the device, a tablet interface, and companion safety levers.
Through training, patients build a habit of independent walking, strengthen the lower limbs, increase joint mobility, and reduce trunk sway.
As stated, such walking in an exoskeleton not only trains muscles but also conditions the nervous system to regain control of the legs after injury.
“It is essentially two components working together: the person and the exoskeleton. The core idea is that movement patterns stimulate the brain and spinal cord, helping the nervous system to reengage,” Bereziy emphasized.
Exo-gyms are a must
Motorica co-founder and CEO Ilya Chekh believes that expanding rehabilitation-focused fitness centers holds promise for broader recovery care.
“This format is essential because there are few private facilities with medical-grade staff capable of comprehensive rehabilitation. After the initial week at a rehab center, people often lack places to continue progress,” Chekh noted.
The challenge lies in establishing a consistent, day-by-day rehabilitation system within Russia. This issue impacts not only exoskeleton-based therapy but also other assistive technologies. The overall concept remains highly useful, Chekh added.
Svetlana Pervykh, medical director of MDinc, views the development of such educational and recovery hubs as a positive step toward integrating active rehabilitation into broader treatment protocols for various conditions and injuries.
“Employment within rehabilitation remains a concern. Training specialists with exoskeleton experience requires time, thoughtful selection, and ongoing development of clinical guidelines, protocols, and patient care approaches.”
Nevertheless, Pervykh believes that any progress toward improving rehabilitation benefits patients, supports families, and contributes to the economy as a whole.