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Translation of Robotic Apparel for Alleviating Low Back Pain
Sponsor: Boston University Charles River Campus
Summary
This is a NIAMS-sponsored clinical trial being conducted through the NIH Helping to End Addition Long-term (HEAL) Initiative's Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Research Program. This is a single-arm controlled trial with individuals aged 18-70 with low back pain (LBP). This study investigates the effect(s) of augmenting physical therapy (PT) interventions with the use of an experimental wearable soft robotic device ('exosuit').
Official title: Translation of Robotic Apparel for Alleviating Low Back Pain: Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC)
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 70 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
44
Start Date
2024-03-15
Completion Date
2025-05-10
Last Updated
2026-09-30
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Back Exosuit
The device is worn like a backpack. It weighs 6 pounds. Participants will be able to perform movements naturally in the device. A ribbon serves as an external muscle to reduce the load and effort during lifting. As participants bend forward, the device assists the participant by supporting some of their body weight by gently pulling back. As participants stand up, the device assists them by gently pulling their trunk upright. Participants will feel the level of assistance change slightly as they move faster or slower. Participants will use this device during 20-40 minutes of physical therapy exercises during 12 visits over 4-6 weeks. Once it is fit and adjusted to each participant's comfort, the physical therapist will control the level of assistance the device provides similarly to how they would adapt any given exercise. Participants may start with more assistance and wean down over the course of the study.
Locations (1)
Boston University Physical Therapy Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States