In today’s healthcare field, many workers experience back pain and physical strain from daily tasks like lifting patients, bending, or reaching. Our project group wanted to explore how exoskeletons, which are wearable devices that support the human body, could help make nursing work easier and healthier. This work was part of the DigiKH project (Digital Expertise and Sustainable Work for Home Care) at HAMK, which aims to find innovative digital and practical solutions for healthcare professionals. In addition, we presented exoskeletons in SOTE-booth where social and health care students had an opportunity to explore and connect with local organizations in the field.
Testing exoskeletons
An exoskeleton is a wearable structure that provides mechanical support to the body. There are two main types: active exoskeletons, which use motors or batteries, and passive exoskeletons, which rely on springs or mechanical parts and do not need power. (Lowe et al. 2016)
Our project focused on passive exoskeletons, which have been shown to reduce strain and mechanical load on the lower back during physical work as low back pain is the number one cause of disability in the world, with mechanical loading as one of the major risk factors.
Exoskeletons have been introduced in the workplace to reduce low back loading. During static forward bending, exoskeletons have been shown to reduce back muscle activity by 10% to 40% (Koopman et al. 2020).
The goal was to test and compare three different passive exoskeletons to see how they can support healthcare workers in tasks that require bending, lifting, and maintaining posture.
They were:
- Auxivo LiftSuit 2.0 – a lightweight textile suit that supports the back and hips. (Auxivo, n.d)
- Laevo (V2/Flex) – a spring-based model that transfers body load from the back to the chest and legs. (Laevo, n.d)
- Back Protect by Ortho-Medico (we fondly call this, the orange one) – a more rigid design that gives strong spinal support though its rigid structure limits movement compared to textile systems like LiftSuit. (Schwartz, M; 2021).
We carried out several short experiments using the three exoskeletons. Each group member tested the devices while performing tasks similar to healthcare activities, such as lifting objects or bending forward. We observed how comfortable they were, how much support they provided, and how easy they were to wear.
Based on our experiences The Auxivo LiftSuit 2.0 was the most comfortable and flexible. It was light, easy to put on, and reduced strain in the back. The Laevo provided strong support but was slightly bulky for continuous movement. The Ortho Medico actually gave us the firmest spinal support but limited motion the most.
Research also shows that exoskeletons can reduce muscle activity, improve posture, and lessen discomfort during demanding physical tasks (; Koopman et al., 2020).
During the SOTE-messut, we presented these results in our exhibition booth and interacted with visitors who shared their ideas and opinions about using exoskeletons in healthcare. Many were curious about how such tools could be introduced in Finnish workplaces.
Conclusion
The Auxivo LiftSuit 2.0 (Appendix 1) proved to be the best overall lightweight, comfortable, and supportive, earning a 9/10 rating. The Back Protect from Ortho-Medico also performed well, improving posture and support, rated 8/10. The Laevo exoskeleton was the least preferred due to its heaviness and discomfort, rated 5–6/10.
At the SOTE Messut event, most participants favoured the Auxivo LiftSuit, followed by the Back Protect. Overall, the project was successful, and our goals were fully achieved.
We also realized that technology like exoskeletons could play a real role in improving well-being at work, reducing fatigue, and supporting sustainable careers in healthcare.
While exoskeletons have shown potential in enhancing healthcare workers’ well-being and performance, more work is required to refine their effectiveness and maximise benefits in different healthcare settings. The study revealed the need for standardised methodologies, consideration of participant characteristics, and optimisation of exoskeleton design. (Gao et al. 2025).
Authors
Vishan Warnakulasuriya, Akansha Tamang, Ezenwanne Tochi, Chetana Thapa and Subikshya Dhakal
References
Auxivo. (n.d.). LiftSuit. Auxivo. Retrieved September 26, 2025, from https://www.auxivo.com/liftsuit
Laevo. (n.d.). Laevo exoskeletons – products and learning centre. Laevo. Retrieved September 26, 2025, from https://www.laevo-exoskeletons.com/en/laevo-v2
Lowe, B. D., Dick, R. B., Hudock, S., & Bobick, T. (2016, March 4). Wearable exoskeletons to reduce physical load at work. NIOSH Science Blog. https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2016/03/04/exoskeletons/
Luger, T., Bär, M., Seibt, R., Rieger, M. A., & Steinhilber, B. (2023). Using a Back Exoskeleton During Industrial and Functional Tasks—Effects on Muscle Activity, Posture, Performance, Usability, and Wearer Discomfort. Human Factors, 65(1), 5–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/00187208211007267
Koopman, A. S., Kingma, I., de Looze, M. P., & van Dieën, J. H. (2020). Effects of a passive back exoskeleton on the mechanical loading of the low back during symmetric lifting. Journal of Biomechanics, 102, 109486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.109486
Gao, G., So, B. C. L., Cheng, A. S. K., Man, S. S., & Ng, S. S. M. (2025). Effect of exoskeleton devices on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among healthcare workers: A scoping review. Ergonomics, 68(9), 1409–1421. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2024.2413150
Schwartz, M., Theurel, J., & Desbrosses, K. (2021 July 29). Effectiveness of Soft versus Rigid Back-Support Exoskeletons during a Lifting Task. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(15), 8062. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18158062
