Key Initiative
Healthcare
Location
Hong Kong
Year
2017 - 2019
Funded By
Chow Tai Fook Medical Foundation
Rehabilitation TrainingR&DRobotics Exoskeleton

Hong Kong Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centre Pilot Programme

In 2018, Chow Tai Fook Medical Foundation (the Foundation) funded a one-and-a-half-year pilot programme launched by the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) to support the allied health professionals on the trial use and research of “robotics exoskeleton” for rehabilitation at the Hong Kong Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centre of the MacLehose Medical Rehabilitation Centre. The study ranges from surgical treatment, post-operative care to the design, testing and adaptation of rehabilitation programmes. First of its kind in Hong Kong, this will accelerate rehabilitation of patients suffering from traumatic spinal cord injuries, helping them get back on their feet.

According to a recent study conducted by the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the University of Hong Kong, there are approximately 200 new cases of traumatic spinal cord injury in Hong Kong every year. However, traditional treatment requires the use of external braces and relies on upper extremity support, which makes the training more strenuous. Funded by the Foundation, the introduction of robotics exoskeleton for rehabilitation training will help patients repeat the same movement and relearn to stand or even walk, so that their leg muscles can be properly trained, thus enhancing the level of rehabilitation training. The programme also supports the allied health professionals in building Hong Kong’s first database of spinal cord injury patients, which will record the clinical distribution of patients and their rehabilitation progress, and in turn enhance the rehabilitation services for spinal cord injury in Hong Kong. In addition, the system can integrate and analyze patient data to be submitted to and included in a global database of spinal cord injury patient statistics, which helps accelerate technology advancement in Hong Kong.

The Foundation is pleased to see the success of the project and the subsequent contributions by the government and other organisations which benefit more patients. In addition, the spinal cord injury rehabilitation team running the pilot programme was awarded the “Outstanding Team Award” by the Hospital Authority in 2020, recognising the team’s remarkable performance and achievements. During the 18-month programme, the team conducted more than 1000 sessions of training, benefiting many patients including renowned rock-climbing instructor and one of Hong Kong Ten Outstanding Young Persons in 2014 Mr. Lai Chi-Wai.

The Hong Kong Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centre Pilot Programme has brought light to the rehabilitation journey of patients suffering from spinal cord injury. The introduction of ‘robotic exoskeletons’ has helped paraplegic patients get back on their feet and relearn to walk. The programme results are satisfactory. We certainly hope that this form of advanced rehabilitation can gradually be adopted within the public healthcare system to benefit more patients

Dr. Paul Aarne Koljonen
Associate Consultant & Honorary Clinical Assistant Professor
LKS Faulty of Medicine Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, the University of Hong Kong
Having participated the The Hong Kong Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centre Pilot Programme as the first participant, Mr Lai Chi-Wai shared advice on the design and comfort utilising exoskeletons for rehabilitation training as a user, and supported the team to collect data for research and analysis to continuously enhance the rehabilitation programme.

I forgot how to stand up at the very beginning and was like a baby who needed to learn to walk and adapt again. Following a period of training, I could walk for half an hour with the assistance of the robotic exoskeleton. I have not only increased the amount of physical activity with the use of exoskeleton for greater health benefits, but also improved my balance control and blood circulation. When I put on the exoskeletons, my son was surprised to see how tall his father can be. Being able to face others at eye level has also boosted my social confidence

Mr. Lai Chi-Wai
Renowned rock-climbing instructor and one of Hong Kong Ten Outstanding Young Persons in 2014
The allied health professionals running the Hong Kong Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centre Pilot Programme is supported by orthopedics and trauma surgeons, prosthetic and orthotic professionals, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, advanced practice nurses and social workers.
Courtesy: The University of Hong Kong
Weighing 20 kg, the “rehab exoskeleton” was formerly used for military purposes. It was not until recent years that it was adopted in medical uses. The exoskeleton is worn by the patients from their feet up to the waist, with computerised programs assisting paraplegic patients to stand and walk.
Courtesy: The University of Hong Kong
The “exoskeleton” walking training programme implemented at the MacLehose Rehabilitation Home involves the use of a computerised program to train up patients' whole-body muscle coordination and exercise capacity to enhance their mobility, strengthen lower limb extension and boost the quality of rehabilitation treatment.
Courtesy: The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centre Pilot Programme is the first medical research of its kind in Hong Kong. Pioneering the use of “exoskeleton”, it helps patients with traumatic spinal paralysis get a fresh start in standing, walking and rehabilitation focused training.
Courtesy: The University of Hong Kong
Mr. Lai Chi-Wai, a renowned rock climbing instructor and one of Hong Kong Ten Outstanding Young Persons in 2014, was one of the first participants of the pilot programme. He has also shared valuable advice with the allied health professionals to facilitate the research and design of safe and appropriate training programmes to get spinal cord injured patients back on their feet.
Courtesy: The University of Hong Kong
Mr. Lai Chi-Wai, one of the first participants of the Hong Kong Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centre Pilot Programme, shared the experience at the 2018 Book Fair on how he was supported by the allied health professionals after a surgery on walk training and how he managed to get back on his feet with the rehabilitation exoskeleton.
Courtesy: The University of Hong Kong
Resources
[Newsclipping] HKU Pilot Project Paraplegic "Bun-Scrambling Champion” becomes the first to undergo the training (Apple Daily | 4 May 2019) (Chinese only)
[Newsclipping] CEO Takes an Important Step after Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury during Massage (Apple Daily | 4 May 2019) (Chinese only)
[Newsclipping] Realty Executive Lost Consciousness after Collision in a Soccer Match Stands up utilising Exoskeleton (Apple Daily | 4 May 2019) (Chinese only)
[Newsclipping] MacLehose Medical Rehabilitation Centre Introduces Robotics Exoskeleton to Help Patients Suffering from Spinal Cord Injury to Stand Up (HK Economic Times | 5 Apr 2019) (Chinese only)
[Newsclipping] Robotics Exoskeleton for Rehabilitation Training Gives New Hope to Spinal Paralysis Patients (Oriental Daily News | 5 Apr 2021) (Chinese only)
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