Peer-Reviewed Study of Lifeward’s ReWalk® Exoskeleton Reports Significant Improvements in Daily Activity Performance, Satisfaction, and Pain

Toronto Star · collected 2026-09-15 · by GlobeNewswire, Inc.
Read the original at Toronto Star ↗

Summary

A peer-reviewed study published in the Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice reports significant improvements in daily activity performance, satisfaction, and reduced pain for users with chronic spinal cord injuries utilizing Lifeward’s ReWalk® exoskeleton. Conducted independently by researchers, the study involved 12 participants who completed both basic personal care tasks (activities of daily living) and more complex household chores (instrumental activities of daily living) while using the device at home. Key findings include significant improvements in perceived ability to perform daily activities (P=.008), satisfaction with performance (P=.003), lower pain levels during use compared to wheelchair use (P=.01), and successful completion of kitchen tasks by all participants, with 10 out of 12 completing grooming tasks.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-16, using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the same event (that is the story summary below).

Signals How these are calculated →

Claims extracted
41
claim-shaped sentences
Uncertain
15%
6 of 41 hedged
Leaning
not political
takes no side on a contested political question
Correction & hedging signals
61.9
corrections and hedging in what we collected; not a measure of accuracy
Outlets on this story
1
Technology
Narrative spread
1
articles carrying this framing
Analyzed 2026-09-16 · how these are computed

AI analysis (generated at analysis time, not now)

Story summary

Lifeward Ltd., a biomedical company based in HUDSON, Mass. and YOKNEAM ILLIT, Israel, announced on September 15, 2026, the publication of an independent peer-reviewed study that shows significant benefits for users with chronic spinal cord injuries who use ReWalk® exoskeletons at home. The study, published in the Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, involved 12 individuals with paraplegia due to chronic spinal cord injuries. Participants were able to perform everyday activities such as kitchen tasks and grooming while standing using the personal exoskeleton, experiencing improved performance, satisfaction, and lower pain compared to wheelchair use. This publication strengthens clinical evidence supporting ReWalk's effectiveness and is expected to boost sales and national distribution access for the device.

Written for “ReWalk Exoskeleton Study Results” on 2026-09-17, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political question, so it has no leaning score. That is an answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political position.
No political leaning scored for article 10800 · logged 2026-09-16

Story

📰 ReWalk Exoskeleton Study Results
Technology · 1 article(s) covering the same event. This is the one the site leads with.

How this is being covered How these are calculated →

Article leaning vs. publisher reliability
Source leaning vs. consistency

Compared with similar articles

Nothing to compare against. No article is close enough to this one for the pipeline to have linked or judged the pair.

Publisher

Toronto Star · 849 article(s) · 1 correction(s) detected
Running correction rate · 1 correction(s)
2026-09-04
Orca Corrects Q3 Quarterly Dividend Announcement

Who wrote this

No reporter is named on this article, beyond the feed's “GlobeNewswire, Inc.”.

Topics

HUDSON Israel Mass. ReWalk YOKNEAM ILLIT

Subjects

Lifeward ORG · 2× Company ORG · 1× HUDSON GPE · 1× Israel GPE · 1× LFWD ORG · 1× Lifeward Ltd. ORG · 1× Mass. GPE · 1× ReWalk ORG · 1× YOKNEAM ILLIT GPE · 1× the Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice ORG · 1×

Narrative

Landmark independent study reports significantly improved task performance and satisfaction and lower pain compared with wheelchair use ReWalk users with chronic spinal cord injury were able to perform everyday kitchen and grooming activities while standing with a personal exoskeleton Publication adds to clinical evidence supporting ReWalk as sales and national distribution access continue to expand HUDSON, Mass. and YOKNEAM ILLIT, Israel, Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lifeward Ltd. (Nasdaq: LFWD) (“Lifeward” or the “Company”), a diversified biomedical innovation company with a portfolio of commercialized neurorehabilitation products and a biomedical pipeline, today announced the publication of an independent, researcher-led peer-reviewed study demonstrating the potential for individuals with chronic spinal cord injury to use a personal exoskeleton to perform everyday activities while standing in their homes.
framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-16
🔮 The researchers concluded that personal exoskeleton use at home may enable individuals with paraplegia to perform selected ADLs and IADLs while standing and was associated with improved perceived performance and satisfaction, lower pain during device use, and reported improvements in bowel and bladder function.

Claims (41 extracted, 6 hedged)

Landmark independent study reports significantly improved task performance and satisfaction and lower pain compared with wheelchair use ReWalk users with chronic spinal cord injury were able to perform everyday kitchen and grooming activities while standing with a personal exoskeleton Publication adds to clinical evidence supporting ReWalk as sales and national distribution access continue to expand HUDSON, Mass. and YOKNEAM ILLIT, Israel, Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lifeward Ltd. (Nasdaq: LFWD) (“Lifeward” or the “Company”), a diversified biomedical innovation company with a portfolio of commercialized neurorehabilitation products and a biomedical pipeline, today announced the publication of an independent, researcher-led peer-reviewed study demonstrating the potential for individuals with chronic spinal cord injury to use a personal exoskeleton to perform everyday activities while standing in their homes. asserted
individuals → report → homes
The study, “Beyond Walking: Exploring Functional Use of Exoskeletons in the Home Environment,” was published in the Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. asserted
study → walk → Sciences
The observational pilot study included 12 individuals with paraplegia due to chronic spinal cord injury and evaluated their ability to perform both activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) in their homes while using the ReWalk personal exoskeleton. asserted
study → include → exoskeleton
ADLs are fundamental personal-care activities, while IADLs are more complex activities required to function independently in daily life. asserted
IADLs → require → life
In the study, all 12 participants successfully performed kitchen tasks while using the exoskeleton, and 10 of the 12 performed grooming tasks. asserted
10 → perform → tasks
Researchers used established measures to assess participants before and after home exoskeleton use. asserted
Researchers → use → use
The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) evaluated participants’ perceived ability to perform the daily activities they identified as important, as well as their satisfaction with that performance. asserted
they → evaluate → performance
The Reintegration to Normal Living Index-modified (RNLI-M) assessed the importance of performing ADLs and IADLs while using the exoskeleton. asserted
Index → modify → exoskeleton
Pain during exoskeleton use versus wheelchair use was evaluated using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). asserted
Pain → evaluate → Scale
Researchers also assessed changes in bowel and bladder function and barriers to exoskeleton use. asserted
Researchers → assess → use
The study reported: - Significant improvement in participants’ perceived ability to perform daily activities, as measured by COPM performance scores (P=.008); - Significant improvement in satisfaction with their performance of those activities, as measured by COPM satisfaction scores (P=.003); - Significant improvement on the RNLI-M measure assessing the importance of completing ADLs and IADLs using the exoskeleton (P=.04); - Significantly lower reported pain while using the exoskeleton compared with wheelchair use, as measured by the NPRS (P=.01); - All 12 participants performed kitchen tasks and 10 performed grooming tasks while using the exoskeleton; and - 8 out of 12 participants reported improvements in bowel and bladder function. asserted
participants → report → function
The researchers concluded that personal exoskeleton use at home may enable individuals with paraplegia to perform selected ADLs and IADLs while standing and was associated with improved perceived performance and satisfaction, lower pain during device use, and reported improvements in bowel and bladder function. uncertain
use → conclude → function
“This is a truly landmark first-of-its-kind study with findings that are critically important because they evaluate the ReWalk experience in terms that are highly relevant to the everyday lives of people with spinal cord injury—what they are able to do while standing in their own homes,” said Keith Rose, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Lifeward. asserted
Rose → evaluate → Lifeward
“The statistically significant improvements in task performance and satisfaction, with significantly lower reported pain compared with wheelchair use, provide meaningful additional evidence regarding the potential functional benefits of personal exoskeleton technology. asserted
improvements → report → technology
The fact that every participant was able to perform kitchen activities while standing, and 10 of 12 were able to perform grooming activities, helps translate the clinical measures into practical outcomes that patients, clinicians, and payers can readily understand. asserted
payers → perform → outcomes
“Peer-reviewed evidence of ReWalk’s real-world benefits can play an important role in expanding adoption,” said Josh Hexter, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Lifeward. asserted
Hexter → review → Lifeward
“As we broaden access through our expanding distribution network, this evidence can help clinicians, patients, and payers understand ReWalk’s clinical value and support continued sales growth. asserted
clinicians → broaden → growth
We’re already seeing that recognition translate into coverage: Medicare Fee-for-Service and many national Medicare Advantage plans understand ReWalk’s clinical impact and are authorizing utilization for clinically appropriate patients.” Excerpt from the study: Several participants in this study volunteered anecdotal experiences with their personal exoskeleton use. asserted
participants → see → use
Many described standing to complete functional tasks for the first time in years and remarked that they “felt normal”. asserted
they → describe → years
Although these reports are anecdotal, they are consistent with the quantitative findings and suggest that exoskeleton use may offer meaningful nonpharmacologic benefits for some individuals. uncertain
use → suggest → individuals
One participant with an incomplete SCI reported daily exoskeleton use for functional tasks. asserted
participant → report → tasks
After several months he noted reduced leg atrophy and improved standing posture, suggesting regular exoskeleton use for functional tasks strengthened his innervated muscles. asserted
use → note → muscles
Another participant demonstrated that he could work on his truck engine while using the exoskeleton, a task he could not complete in his wheelchair or track chair. uncertain
he → demonstrate → wheelchair
Several participants also reported changes in their medication regimens after incorporating regular exoskeleton use into their routines, including discontinuation of chronic opioid therapy, reductions in intrathecal baclofen dosage, and decreased need for antidepressant medications. asserted
participants → report → medications
The publication comes as Lifeward continues to expand commercial access to ReWalk. asserted
Lifeward → come → ReWalk
ReWalk sales increased 13% year-over-year to $2.5 million in the second quarter of 2026, contributing to a 16% increase in total Lifeward revenue to $6.6 million. asserted
sales → increase → million
The Company is expanding its capital-efficient channel distribution strategy, including an August 2026 pilot with Ottobock Care, a leading U.S. mobility technology patient care organization with more than 50 patient clinics nationwide, designed to broaden access to ReWalk. asserted
Company → expand → ReWalk
About Lifeward Lifeward is a global innovator focused on advancing medical technologies and biomedical solutions that improve lives. asserted
that → focus → lives
The Company’s established portfolio includes market-leading neurorehabilitation technologies such as the ReWalk® Exoskeleton, AlterG® Anti-Gravity system, MyoCycle® FES System, and ReStore® Exo-Suit. asserted
portfolio → establish → Exoskeleton
These solutions span the continuum of care in physical rehabilitation and recovery, deploying the most advanced robotics and AI technologies to restore full health and quality of life to a broadening patient population. asserted
solutions → span → population
The Company is now executing a strategic evolution into a diversified biomedical company, expanding beyond rehabilitation and into high-value therapeutic platforms. asserted
Company → execute → platforms
This includes its Protein Oral Delivery (POD™) platform, designed to enable oral delivery of biologic drugs, with lead candidate ORMD-0801 (oral insulin) targeting a large and underserved diabetes market. asserted
This → include → market
Lifeward has operations in the United States, Israel, and Germany. asserted
Lifeward → have → States
In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. asserted
release → contain → 1934
Such forward-looking statements may include projections regarding the Company’s future performance and other statements that are not statements of historical fact and, in some cases, may be identified by words like “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “future,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “seek” and similar terms or phrases. uncertain
that → look → words
For example, when the Company discusses the potential benefits, expanded adoption, commercial access, clinical value and sales growth of ReWalk, and the Company’s distribution strategy, it is using forward-looking statements. asserted
it → discuss → statements
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management’s current expectations, which are subject to uncertainty, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company’s control. asserted
many → look → control
Important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others: management’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future including, without limitation, statements regarding: the future operations of Lifeward, including research and development activities; the nature, strategy and focus of Lifeward; Lifeward’s ability to successfully integrate Oratech Pharmaceuticals Ltd. into its organization and realize the anticipated benefits therefrom; anticipated clinical drug development activities and related timelines, and other clinical results; the sufficiency of post-transaction resources to support the advancement of Lifeward’s pipeline through certain milestones and the time period over which Lifeward’s post-transaction capital resources will be sufficient to fund its anticipated operations; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the strategic transaction; expected timing and results of the ORMD-0801 clinical trial; legislative, regulatory, political and economic developments; the acceptance of the ReWalk 7 Personal Exoskeleton by healthcare professionals and patients; uncertainties associated with future clinical trials and the clinical development process, the product development process and U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulatory submission review and approval process; the Company’s ability to have sufficient funds to meet certain future capital requirements, which could impair the Company’s efforts to develop and commercialize existing and new products; the Company’s ability to maintain and grow its reputation and the market acceptance of its products; the Company’s ability to achieve reimbursement from third-party payors, including CMS, for its products; the Company’s limited operating history and its ability to leverage its sales, marketing and training infrastructure; the Company’s expectations as to its clinical research program and clinical results; the Company’s expectations regarding future growth, including its ability to increase sales in its existing geographic markets and expand to new markets; the Company’s ability to continue to operate as a going concern; the Company’s ability to obtain certain components of its products from third-party suppliers and its continued access to its product manufacturers; the Company’s ability to navigate any difficulties associated with moving production of its AlterG Anti-Gravity Systems to a contract manufacturer and transitioning the manufacturing of its ReWalk products to its in-house manufacturer; the Company’s ability to improve its products and develop new products; the Company’s compliance with medical device reporting regulations to report adverse events involving the Company’s products, which could result in voluntary corrective actions or enforcement actions such as mandatory recalls, and the potential impact of such adverse events on the Company’s ability to market and sell its products; the Company’s ability to gain and maintain regulatory approvals; the Company’s ability to maintain adequate protection of its intellectual property and to avoid violation of the intellectual property rights of others; the risk of a cybersecurity attack or breach of the Company’s IT systems significantly disrupting its business operations; the Company’s ability to use effectively the proceeds of its offerings of securities; and other factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. uncertain
attack → cause → SEC
Any forward-looking statement made in this press release speaks only as of the date hereof. asserted
statement → look → date
Factors or events that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ from the statements contained herein may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. uncertain
Company → cause → them
…and 1 more, not listed.
💬 Give feedback
🕘 History 🎫 Support