Ekso exoskeleton for rehabilitation in people with neurological weakness or paralysis

Equality considerations

NICE is committed to promoting equality, eliminating unlawful discrimination and fostering good relations between people with particular protected characteristics and others. In producing guidance and advice, NICE aims to comply fully with all legal obligations to: promote race and disability equality and equality of opportunity between men and women, eliminate unlawful discrimination on grounds of race, disability, age, sex, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity (including women post-delivery), sexual orientation, and religion or belief (these are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010).

Ekso may be used in people who have had a stroke. The risk of stroke increases with age and is also higher in men and people of African and Caribbean family origin (Wang 2013). Ekso is also contraindicated for people less than 5 feet 2 inches or more than 6 feet 2 inches tall, people who weigh more than 100 kg (220 pounds) and pregnant women. Age, disability, race, pregnancy and sex are also protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

Ekso can only be used by people with enough strength in their arms to use crutches. Because of this, people with weak or paralysed arms will not be able to use the device.