External mechanical support of gait

External mechanical support of gait refers to the use of devices that provide physical assistance or stabilization during walking, especially for individuals with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal impairments. Common examples include orthoses, exoskeletons, handrails, and partial body-weight support systems. These supports can reduce the load on limbs, improve stability, and lower energy expenditure. They do not target molecular pathways. Instead, their "mechanism" is biomechanical: providing external force, stabilization, or balance during gait to aid in rehabilitation or compensate for deficits[1][3][4]. This term does not describe a protein, receptor, or small molecule and is therefore not a conventional therapeutic target. There is something incorrect about this target: it is not a molecular or receptor target for pharmacologic therapy, but rather describes a class of therapeutic intervention and assistive technology.

Other names

External mechanical assistive device for gaitGait orthosisMechanical gait supportAssistive device for walking