Exoskeleton improves balance while walking
- Trial ID
- NCT07567482
- Official Title
- Exoskeleton-Assisted Mobility in Aging and in Parkinson's Disease: A Mixed-Methods Study of Effectiveness and Acceptability
- Goal
- Exoskeleton improves balance while walking
- Phase
- NA
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Enrollment
- 26 participants
- Conditions
- Parkinson's Disease (PD), Healthy Aging
- Interventions
- Exoskeleton
Summary For Families
The goal is to find out whether a wearable robotic exoskeleton can make walking easier, less tiring, and safer for people with Parkinson's who struggle with gait, balance, or endurance as they age. Participants will wear a lower limb powered exoskeleton that senses steps and supplies targeted assistance to hip and knee movements, so it augments weakened muscles, stabilizes gait, and reduces the effort needed to walk; researchers will track walking speed, endurance, and users' experiences to judge effectiveness and acceptability. Eligible people with Parkinson's must have idiopathic PD, be able to walk at least 30 minutes, be Hoehn and Yahr stage 1 to 4, be age 50 or older, and have no severe vascular leg disease, implantable life-sustaining devices like pacemakers, severe osteoporosis or high fracture risk, major lower-limb injuries, or significant cognitive impairment (MoCA < 21). The study also includes healthy older adults aged 65 and up who can walk 30 minutes and meet the same safety and height requirements, since the device is not suitable for people under about 152 cm tall.
Locations
- TechCare Research Lab - CISSS de l'Outaouais, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying Exoskeleton. The goal is to find out whether a wearable robotic exoskeleton can make walking easier, less tiring, and safer for people with Parkinson's who struggle with gait, balance, or endurance as they age. Participants will wear a lower limb powered exoskeleton that senses steps and supplies targeted assistance to hip and knee movements, so it augments weakened muscles, stabilizes gait, and reduces the effort needed to walk; researchers will track walking speed, endurance, and users' experiences to judge effectiveness and acceptability. Eligible people with Parkinson's must have idiopathic PD, be able to walk at least 30 minutes, be Hoehn and Yahr stage 1 to 4, be age 50 or older, and have no severe vascular leg disease, implantable life-sustaining devices like pacemakers, severe osteoporosis or high fracture risk, major lower-limb injuries, or significant cognitive impairment (MoCA < 21). The study also includes healthy older adults aged 65 and up who can walk 30 minutes and meet the same safety and height requirements, since the device is not suitable for people under about 152 cm tall.
- Who can participate?
- Participants must be at least 50 Years.
- Where is this trial located?
- This trial is recruiting at 1 location.
- Does it cost anything to join?
- No. There is no cost to participate. Study-related care and treatment are provided at no charge.
- How long does the trial last?
- This trial is estimated to last approximately 5 months.
- Will I get the real drug or a placebo?
- It depends on the trial design. Some Parkinson's trials are placebo controlled, meaning a portion of participants get an inactive comparison while others get the experimental treatment. Some use crossover designs so everyone eventually receives the active treatment at some point. Observational trials do not use a placebo at all because they are not testing a new treatment. The consent form for any specific trial spells out the design and your odds of being assigned to placebo before you enroll.
- How often will I need to visit the study site?
- Visit frequency varies by trial. Many Parkinson's studies require an in person visit every 4 to 12 weeks during the active treatment phase, with shorter or longer gaps depending on the design. The site coordinator can give you the full visit schedule before you sign anything, so you know what the time commitment looks like.
- Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?
- Yes. You can withdraw from any clinical trial at any time, for any reason, without affecting your standard medical care. Trials are voluntary by law. The team may ask if you are willing to do a brief exit visit so they can collect safety information, but you are not obligated.
- Will travel or parking be reimbursed?
- Many trials reimburse for parking, mileage, and sometimes lodging if the site is far from your home. Reimbursement policies vary by sponsor and site. When you contact the trial team, ask specifically what is covered and how reimbursement is processed.
- Can my spouse or care partner come with me to visits?
- In most cases yes, and it is often encouraged. Care partners can help with notes, questions, and getting home safely after a long visit. Some study assessments do need to happen one on one, but care partners are usually welcome for the rest of the appointment.