The Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla in Santander introduced two additional robotic exoskeletons into its neurorehabilitation service on 26 September. According to the hospital, the devices are intended to help patients with brain injuries, strokes and spinal cord injuries regain the use of their legs and arms. The project was confirmed by the hospital on Thursday and by Europa Press reported.
The new exoskeletons add to the robotic therapies already available in Valdecilla’s rehabilitation service. In 2024, Cantabria according to the hospital, introduced its first exoskeleton for neurological patients; a Lokomatsystem is also used for gait therapy in Santander. The latest expansion is part of an ongoing modernisation of rehabilitation services, included in the Servicio Cántabro de Salud procurement plans.
The hospital describes the exoskeletons as a complement to conventional physiotherapy. They enable standardised, repeatable movements, making intensive training sessions and early mobilisation easier. The aim is to stimulate neuroplastic processes and restore functional abilities more quickly. Valdecilla has not yet published specific details about the models, purchase costs, the number of people expected to be treated or any impact on capacity.
Expert assessments of the effectiveness of robotic systems in neurorehabilitation vary by indication and type of device. Systematic reviews point to short-term improvements in gait measures and endurance in selected patient groups, while long-term benefits and transfer to everyday life need to be assessed individually. The reported purchase confirms the institutional use of the technology in Cantabria; it does not replace clinical trial outcome data.
The hospital expects the region’s technology-assisted rehabilitation services to expand without patients needing to be transferred to other autonomous communities. Whether, and to what extent, the new exoskeletons will reduce waiting lists or shorten treatment times remains unclear for now and will depend on staffing, clinical assessment and integration into existing treatment protocols.
With this purchase, Valdecilla reinforces its role as a regional neurorehabilitation centre and continues to renew its technical equipment.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).