Join us at Health Research Day — June 6th at Canton Waterfront Park, Baltimore!   Learn More →
← Back to all trials
Not Yet Recruiting NCT07633093

Effects of a Powered Lower-Limb Exoskeleton on Walking Performance in Older Adults

Conditions: Aging, Walking, Physical Function, Mobility Limitation

Sex: All
Ages: 18 Years – 75 Years
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Phase: NA
Enrollment: 40
Sponsor: Hunan Normal University

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a powered wearable lower-limb exoskeleton can improve walking performance in independently ambulatory older adults aged 65 to 75 years. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does use of a powered lower-limb exoskeleton increase comfortable walking speed over 10 meters? * Does use of a powered lower-limb exoskeleton increase average walking speed during a 400-meter walk? Researchers will compare walking performance in older adults during walking with the powered exoskeleton and walking without the device to determine whether the exoskeleton improves mobility. Young-adult reference participants will also complete walking assessments to provide reference values for walking performance. Participants will: * Attend a screening and familiarization visit. * Complete walking assessments with and without the powered exoskeleton in randomized order (older adults only). * Perform a 10-meter walk test, a 400-meter walk test, and other physical performance assessments. * Complete questionnaires about balance confidence, fear of falling, and device usability. * Be monitored for safety events during testing.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Older adults aged 65 to 75 years who are community-dwelling, independently ambulatory, able to walk independently on level ground, able to maintain standing balance without personal assistance, and able to understand study instructions. * Young-adult reference participants aged 18 to 22 years who are healthy university students without known conditions affecting walking or balance. Exclusion Criteria: * Self-reported neurological disease affecting gait or balance. * Major musculoskeletal injury or surgery affecting walking within the previous 6 months. * Uncontrolled cardiopulmonary disease. * Severe visual or vestibular impairment affecting safe walking. * Current lower-limb pain that limits walking. * Cognitive impairment that prevents informed consent or protocol adherence. * Any condition judged by the study team to make participation unsafe.

Interested in this study? View the official listing for contact and enrollment details.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07633093). StuddyBuddy aggregates publicly available trial information.