Exoskeleton for Parkinson's (NCT07567482)
Testing wearable exoskeleton for 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
- Testing wearable exoskeleton for 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
- Registry Record Last Updated
- 2026-05-13 (3 months ago)
- Estimated Commitment
- Lower commitment estimated from the protocol. This reflects time and procedures only — confirm details with the study coordinator.
Summary For Families
The study is testing whether a wearable robotic exoskeleton can help improve walking, balance, and overall mobility, and so reduce fall risk in healthy older adults and people with Parkinson's disease. Participants come for two lab visits to try on and get used to the exoskeleton, then do walking, standing, and turning tasks with and without the device and at different support levels while movement is measured with small sensors, and researchers also ask about the user experience. People with Parkinson's will be tested while their usual Parkinson's medication is working best, the so-called "ON" state. They are looking for adults aged 50 and up (healthy group must be 65+), people who can walk at least 30 minutes, who are at least 152 cm tall, and who do not have severe cognitive problems or other conditions that make walking unsafe; Parkinson's participants should be in stages 1 to 4 of the disease.
Eligibility at a Glance
Key requirements found in this trial's official criteria, in plain language. Only what the listing states is shown; the study team makes the final call.
- Disease stage: Hoehn and Yahr stage 1 to 4
- Thinking test (MoCA): MoCA memory and thinking score of at least 21 (criteria text: "* Severe cognitive impairment (MoCA \< 21)")
- Healthy volunteers: Also accepts people without Parkinson's (healthy volunteers) (criteria text: "CT.gov structured field: healthyVolunteers")
Do I Likely Qualify? — Self-Check Dimensions
The trial page offers an interactive self-check built from this trial's parsed criteria. It covers these dimensions; anything the criteria don't state clearly is answered "ask the study coordinator", never assumed.
- This trial enrolls people aged 50 or older.
- This trial requires Hoehn and Yahr stage 1 to 4.
- This trial requires a MoCA thinking-test score of at least 21.
Locations
- TechCare Research Lab - CISSS de l'Outaouais, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Making Contact: How to Call This Study Site
Who to ask for
Ask for the study coordinator. Some sites call this person the research coordinator. They are the right person for questions about joining a study. If you reach a front desk or a doctor's office scheduler, ask them to connect you with the research team for this study.
What to say
It is fine to read this out loud, word for word:
Hello, my name is ____. I am calling about a Parkinson's study at your site. The study number is NCT07567482. It is the one about "Testing wearable exoskeleton for walking". Could I speak with the study coordinator about taking part?
If you are calling for a family member, use their name and mention that you help with their care.
What they will ask you
- The year of diagnosis
- Current medications and their doses
- Other health conditions
- Any procedures already done, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS)
- How far you are able to travel for study visits
- Whether a care partner can come to visits with you
What to have ready
- A written list of current medications and doses
- Your neurologist's name and phone number
- The diagnosis date. The year is enough.
- A recent visit summary from the neurologist, if you have one
What to ask them
- How many visits are there, and how long does each visit take? The listing already answers this: You must attend two laboratory sessions spaced at least two days and no more than four days apart. Ask the coordinator to confirm it still applies.
- Is travel, parking, or my time reimbursed?
- Is there a placebo group, and what is my chance of being in it? The listing already answers this: Everyone in this trial receives the experimental treatment. There is no placebo group. Ask the coordinator to confirm it still applies.
- Would I need to stop or pause any of my current medications?
- What happens when the study ends? Could I stay on the treatment if it helps?
What to expect
- Expect to wait a few days for a callback. A week is common. Calling or emailing again after that is fine and normal.
- Many callers do not end up joining. Screening out is common and is not a judgment about you or your health.
- Asking questions commits you to nothing. You can stop the process at any point.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying Exoskeleton. The study is testing whether a wearable robotic exoskeleton can help improve walking, balance, and overall mobility, and so reduce fall risk in healthy older adults and people with Parkinson's disease. Participants come for two lab visits to try on and get used to the exoskeleton, then do walking, standing, and turning tasks with and without the device and at different support levels while movement is measured with small sensors, and researchers also ask about the user experience. People with Parkinson's will be tested while their usual Parkinson's medication is working best, the so-called "ON" state. They are looking for adults aged 50 and up (healthy group must be 65+), people who can walk at least 30 minutes, who are at least 152 cm tall, and who do not have severe cognitive problems or other conditions that make walking unsafe; Parkinson's participants should be in stages 1 to 4 of the disease.
- 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?
- Being asked to pay to join a trial is a red flag: legitimate trials do not charge a participation fee, and the study treatment and study-specific tests are provided by the trial sponsor. What you might still pay depends on where you live: in the US, routine care you would receive anyway can be billed to you or your insurance; trials in the UK and Canada usually run through public health systems. Travel, parking, and time are real costs, and some trials reimburse them while others do not. Before enrolling, ask the study coordinator to explain in writing what is and is not covered.
- How long does the trial last?
- This trial is estimated to last approximately 5 months.
- 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.
- 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.
- Will I get a placebo in this trial?
- Everyone in this trial receives the experimental treatment. There is no placebo group.
- How many visits does this trial involve?
- You must attend two laboratory sessions spaced at least two days and no more than four days apart.
- What procedures are involved in this trial?
- Based on the protocol, this trial involves: Wearable / at-home monitoring (non-invasive). Confirm the full schedule with the study coordinator.