During the COVID-19 pandemic, intensive care units (ICU) cope with large numbers of patients suffering from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, and requiring supine to prone positioning. This is an exhausting task, which needs to be repeated typically 12 times a day by dedicated teams.
A pilot study was performed by the University Hospital of Nancy, the University of Lorraine, INRS and the National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation. Its aim was to test the use of back-support exoskeletons, first in simulated conditions, and then in an ICU.
The use of exoskeletons was perceived as a physical relief by the medical staff, who clearly indicated an intention to adopt such a technology.
Published in Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine “Facing the COVID-19 pandemic: could the use of exoskeletons be helpful to manage Supine-to-Prone Positioning in Mechanically Ventilated Patients? From simulation to intensive care unit: a pilot study” by Nicla Settembre et al.
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Jean Theurel: jean.theurel@inrs.fr
