Papers
11
Total Citations
200
H-Index
6
About
Ann M. Spungen is a leading rehabilitation researcher whose work has profoundly advanced the field of spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery, with a particular focus on powered exoskeletal-assisted walking (EAW) and its therapeutic applications. Based at a Veterans Affairs medical center, Spungen has dedicated her career to restoring mobility and independence for individuals with paralysis, including a significant emphasis on Veterans with SCI. Her most influential contribution — a 2015 study on in-hospital walking velocity and assistance levels using powered exoskeletons, now cited 118 times — established foundational benchmarks for clinical EAW use, shaping how rehabilitation programs are designed worldwide. Subsequent work explored biomechanical adaptations during exoskeletal walking, including center of mass dynamics, postural stability, and gait mechanics, providing critical insight into how patients and devices interact during locomotion. Spungen's research expanded into randomized controlled trials, investigating whether exoskeleton use at home and in community settings meaningfully improves outcomes over wheelchair use alone. Her studies also address bone mineral density risks at the knee — a vital safety consideration before prescribing upright robotic activities — and the metabolic benefits of long-term exoskeleton training, including reductions in central adiposity. Through rigorous clinical investigation and interdisciplinary collaboration, Spungen has helped transform powered exoskeletons from experimental devices into evidence-based rehabilitation tools.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2Exoskeletal-Assisted Walking in Veterans With Paralysis16 citations · 2024
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