Four published studies.
One consistent finding.
The clinical case for Kickstart™ is not built on manufacturer claims. It is built on peer-reviewed research published in leading rehabilitation science journals. Below is a plain-language summary of each study, with links to full-text downloads.
| Study Type | Randomized Controlled Trial |
|---|---|
| Participants | 46 stroke patients; Kickstart group (n=23) vs. conventional gait training control group (n=23) |
| Duration | 4-week intervention + 8-week follow-up; 20-minute daily sessions |
| Key Findings | Kickstart group showed significantly greater improvements in lower limb motor function (FMA-LE) and reduced subjective fatigue (Borg scale). Muscle strength gains were especially notable in the iliopsoas and rectus femoris — the key swing-phase muscles in hemiparetic gait. Sustained at 8-week follow-up. |
STUDY 1
Liang et al. — Randomized Controlled Trial (2025)
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
Effectiveness of the Kickstart® Walk Assist system in improving lower limb muscle strength and walking ability in stroke patients.
| Study Type | Prospective Feasibility Study |
|---|---|
| Participants | 30 inpatient stroke survivors at a rehabilitation centre |
| Key Findings | Wearing Kickstart™ reduced weight-bearing asymmetry, improved 10-metre walk test time, and reduced double support time during gait. Participants reported improved balance, speed, and stability, and expressed confidence in and willingness to use the device. |
STUDY 2
Yao et al. — Feasibility Study (2021)
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
The Kickstart Walk Assist System for improving balance and walking function in stroke survivors.
STUDY 3
Sado et al. — Gait Coordination Study (2022)
Frontiers in Physiology
This study examined how the Kickstart™ exoskeleton affects the coordination patterns between the two legs during walking in healthy adults. Using motion capture analysis, researchers found that wearing the device altered interlimb coordination in ways consistent with the biomechanical assist the device is designed to provide — offering a mechanistic explanation for the gait improvements observed in stroke populations.
STUDY 4
Glaister et al. — Case Series (2015)
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation International
Mobility training for patients recovering from neurological injuries with Kickstart®: A case series.
Two chronic stroke survivors and one participant with an incomplete spinal cord injury were assessed for walking speed and endurance during a Kickstart™-assisted training program. All three participants demonstrated improved walking speed reaching community ambulation levels, and all showed functional return — that is, reduced reliance on the device over time — suggesting neurological adaptation rather than simple mechanical compensation.