Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Leg Stretching Using an Exoskeleton on Demand for People With Spasticity
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
The purpose of this research study is to develop a protocol using a fully wearable, portable lower-limb exoskeleton for improving leg and walking function in people with movement disorders. The study investigates the effects of wearing the device during a set of experiments including leg stretching, treadmill walking and overground walking in muscle activity, joint motion, and gait performance. The goal is to develop an effective lower-limb strategy to restore lost leg function (e.g., range of motion) and gait ability, and improve quality of life in people with movement deficits following a neurological disorder.
Official title: Leg Stretching Using a Controllable Wearable Exoskeleton on Demand for People With Spasticity
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
10
Start Date
2026-02-09
Completion Date
2026-10-30
Last Updated
2026-02-23
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton
* Participant preparation, placement of wearable sensors and monitoring, and wearable device fitting. * Lower-limb joint rotations and leg stretching protocol (40-60 minutes). The wearable exoskeleton and its control algorithm are evaluated to rotate leg joints and apply stretching similarly to the forces applied by nurses and caregivers when providing manual forces. Joint rotation and limb stretching is conducted while participants sit down (e.g., in a wheelchair, on a chair, on one side of a bed, or on a clinical mat) or lay down on a bed/mat. The protocol involves ankle plantarflexion and dorsiflexion, knee extension, hip flexion with the knee flexed, and toe flexion and extension (bilaterally) assisted by the exoskeleton, and each movement is repeated at a low-to-moderate rate of 10-30 cycles/minute. * Treadmilll and Overground Walking (60-90 minutes including rest periods) * Cool down (5-10 minutes)
Locations (1)
Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY
Syracuse, New York, United States