Fig. 7

Codes related to Psychology (n = 10). The number of codes in this category demonstrates that the benefits expected from the use of WR for gait rehabilitation of SCI patients do not only concern physical benefits but also psychological benefits. In this category, patients overall showed high agreements in most codes. Almost half of both patients and clinicians have a positive perception about the technologies, about the feeling of being able to walk and stand up again even if their loss is permanent, and they expect improvements in the mental health and psychological well-being of patients thanks to the use of these devices. These are mostly expressed by e-SCI, showing the opportunities of the technologies in cases of people who have already used them. This should be a motivation to make these devices more accessible to their intended users. Additionally, especially n-SCI expressed they felt motivated to support the development of the technologies to benefit their community in the future, showing that patients are willing and eager to be included in the design and development processes. Four patients said the use of the technologies gave them a physical and/or psychological sense of wellness, but one n-SCI was more skeptical about this effect