Soft Exosuits for Functional Gait Recovery in Acute Stroke Rehabilitation

NCT ID: NCT06231511

Last Updated: 2025-08-14

Study Results

Results available

Outcome measurements, participant flow, baseline characteristics, and adverse events have been published for this study.

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Total Enrollment

26 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-07-30

Study Completion Date

2024-04-15

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the use of soft exosuits in patients post stroke.

Detailed Description

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AIM 1: Develop individualized adaptive controller parameters and a training progression program for these exosuits specific for inpatient stroke rehabilitation.

AIM 2: Evaluate the impact of the soft exosuit + conventional inpatient rehabilitation vs.

conventional inpatient rehabilitation alone on measures of lower-extremity impairments and functional recovery following acute stroke.

Conditions

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Stroke Acute Stroke

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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AIM 1: Single Group (Hip Flexion Soft Exosuit)

For AIM 1, all participants are assigned to the training group using a hip flexion soft exosuit. During the training/tuning sessions, individuals will perform up to 60 minutes of walking with the exosuit on the treadmill, overground or completing stairs, with rest breaks as needed. Goals during these sessions are to modify and update the controllers for the exosuit to appropriately provide assistance to the patient while ambulating in collaboration with Harvard University. We may also test clinical training progressions with the exosuit during walking training. Some part of the session may include walking with the exosuit assisting and other part of the session may include without the device assisting for comparison. Total session time for each session may be up to 2 hours, and up to 8 training/tuning visits will be performed.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Hip flexion soft exosuit

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants will utilize a Wyss designed hip flexion soft exosuit. This device has a small rope winch at the front of the hip connected to a functional textile waistband and thigh band. It applies an assistive torque in response to wearable sensor measurements.

AIM 2: Device Group (ReWalk ReStore Soft Exosuit)

For participants in the experimental group, these exosuits will be utilized in up to all physical therapy sessions during the course of the patient's inpatient stay. With the consideration that an inpatient stay may be up to 10 weeks, total number of sessions may be up to 75 visits. Sessions will vary from 30-90 minutes depending on inpatient therapy scheduling.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

ReWalk ReStore soft exosuit

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants will utilize the ReWalk ReStore ankle soft exosuit. This device provides dynamic plantarflexion and dorsiflexion during walking intended to restore paretic limb function resulting in improved gait symmetry, reduced energy cost of walking and improved stability. The exosuits consists of a body-worn actuation unit containing motors, gears, and pulleys that when powered generate forces that are transmitted via Bowden cables to functional textiles anchored proximal and distal to a joint. This actuation occurs in response to signals from embedded wearable sensors.

AIM 2: Control Group

Participants in the control group will participate in conventional physical therapy without use of exosuits during the course of the patient's inpatient stay. With the consideration that an inpatient stay may be up to 10 weeks, total number of sessions may be up to 75 visits. Sessions will vary from 30-90 minutes depending on inpatient therapy scheduling.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Conventional physical therapy

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants will complete conventional physical therapy without use of exosuits during the course of their inpatient rehabilitation stay.

Interventions

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Hip flexion soft exosuit

Participants will utilize a Wyss designed hip flexion soft exosuit. This device has a small rope winch at the front of the hip connected to a functional textile waistband and thigh band. It applies an assistive torque in response to wearable sensor measurements.

Intervention Type DEVICE

ReWalk ReStore soft exosuit

Participants will utilize the ReWalk ReStore ankle soft exosuit. This device provides dynamic plantarflexion and dorsiflexion during walking intended to restore paretic limb function resulting in improved gait symmetry, reduced energy cost of walking and improved stability. The exosuits consists of a body-worn actuation unit containing motors, gears, and pulleys that when powered generate forces that are transmitted via Bowden cables to functional textiles anchored proximal and distal to a joint. This actuation occurs in response to signals from embedded wearable sensors.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Conventional physical therapy

Participants will complete conventional physical therapy without use of exosuits during the course of their inpatient rehabilitation stay.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age 18-85 years
* History of single stroke event with deficits predominately affecting one side of the body
* Stroke less than 4 years ago (AIM 1)
* Stroke within the past 6 months (AIM 2)
* Capable of standing with assistance
* Medical clearance by a physician

Exclusion Criteria

* Inability to communicate with investigators
* Pressure ulcers or skin wounds located where the exosuit interfaces (calf, thigh, waist)
* History of significant peripheral artery disease (PAD)
* Unresolved deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
* Psychiatric or cognitive impairments that may interfere with proper operation of the device
* Known urethane allergies
* Pregnancy
* Other comorbidities that prevent full participation in research
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

85 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Harvard University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Arun Jayaraman, PT, PhD

Director, Max Nader Center for Rehabilitation Technologies & Outcomes Research

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Document Type: Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

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STU00210500

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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