Saskia Baltrusch

Contents Chapter 1 General Introduction 7 Chapter 2 Perspectives of end-users on the potential use of trunk exoskeletons for people with low-back pain: a focus group study 21 Chapter 3 The effect of a passive trunk exoskeleton on functional performance in healthy individuals 47 Chapter 4 The effect of a passive trunk exoskeleton on metabolic costs during lifting and walking 85 Chapter 5 Passive Back Support Exoskeleton Improves Range of Motion Using Flexible Beams 115 Chapter 6 Testing an Exoskeleton That Helps Workers With Lower- Back Pain: Less Discomfort With the Passive SPEXOR Trunk Device 153 Chapter 7 SPEXOR passive spinal exoskeleton decreases metabolic cost during symmetric repetitive lifting 177 Chapter 8 Passive trunk exoskeleton acceptability and effects on self-efficacy in employees with low-back pain: a mixed method approach 203 Chapter 9 General Discussion 233 About the Author 250 Acknowledgements 258