Toward Ubiquitous Lower Limb Exoskeleton Use in Children and Young Adults
Recruiting now
Conditions studied: Muscle Weakness, Problems Moving Their Arms and Legs
In brief
People with cerebral palsy (CP), muscular dystrophy (MD), spina bifida, or spinal cord injury often have muscle weakness, and problems moving their arms and legs. The NIH designed a new brace device, called an exoskeleton, that is worn on the legs and helps people walk. This study is investigating new ways the exoskeleton can be used in multiple settings while performing different walking or movement tasks, which we call ubiquitous use. For example, we will ask you to walk on a treadmill at different speeds, walk up and down a ramp, or walk through an obstacle course. Optionally, the exoskeletons may also use functional electrical stimulation (FES), a system that sends electrical pulses to the muscle to help it move the limb.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT06998134
- Run by
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
- People needed
- 23
- Starts
- 2026-06-23
- Expected to finish
- 2028-08-18
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-07-23
Who can join
Age: 5 and older, up to 25. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may not qualify if…
- An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
- Any neurological, musculoskeletal, or cardiorespiratory injury, health condition, or diagnosis other than CP, MD, SB, or iSCI that would affect the ability to walk as directed with the robotic exoskeleton.
- A history of uncontrolled seizures in the past year.
- Pregnancy based on self-reporting. We excluded pregnancy due to confounding factors of pregnancy on gait.
- Adult unable to consent for themselves at screening visit.
Where it is running
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland, United States (enrolling)
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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