Robotic ankle exosuit during walking after stroke
Tests walking with robotic ankle assistance in adults who had a stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Neuromechanical Mechanisms of Exosuit-assisted Gait Rehabilitation After Stroke
Key facts
- Where
- Boston, United StatesSee the site
Where in United States
- Boston University Neuromotor Recovery LaboratoryBoston, United StatesNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Boston University Charles River Campus
- Trial code
- NCT07218094
- Record updated
- 11 August 2026
- Original description
Stroke survivors often experience impaired neuromechanical control that limits walking speed and quality, particularly due to deficits in paretic propulsion. This study aims to identify patient-specific neuromechanical locomotor control strategies, link them to biomechanical gait impairments, and investigate how these strategies influence responses to soft robotic exosuit assistance of paretic propulsion and ground clearance during walking. The study focuses on adults who are more than six months post-stroke and have observable gait deficits.Read full original descriptionShow less
Neuromechanical Mechanisms of Exosuit-assisted Gait Rehabilitation After Stroke
Stroke survivors often experience impaired neuromechanical control that limits walking speed and quality, particularly due to deficits in paretic propulsion. This study aims to identify patient-specific neuromechanical locomotor control strategies, link them to biomechanical gait impairments, and investigate how these strategies influence responses to soft robotic exosuit assistance of paretic propulsion and ground clearance during walking. The study focuses on adults who are more than six months post-stroke and have observable gait deficits.
The main questions are:
1. How do neuromechanical control patterns (i.e., electromyography-measured muscle coordination) affect walking speed, quality, and gait biomechanics after stroke? 2. Do individuals with distinct neuromechanical patterns respond differently to robotic exosuit-assisted gait rehabilitation?
Researchers will compare walking performance without and with robotic exosuit assistance to determine whether tailoring exosuit-assisted gait intervention to patient-specific neuromechanical profiles can lead to greater improvements in walking function. Participants will complete treadmill and overground walking assessments instrumented with motion capture, EMG, and force plates, performing one trial without assistance and two trials with robotic exosuit assistance delivered at different assistance onset timings, from which a preferred assistance setting will be identified. The walking trial associated with the preferred assistance setting will be used for primary analyses.
Inclusion: At least 18 years old; >6 months post-stroke; Observable gait deficits; Able to walk overground and on a treadmill without body-weight support; Able to communicate clearly with investigators and follow instructions; Able to fit the exosuit components, including height between 4'8" and 6'7", weight < 264lbs, neutral ankle dorsiflexion during standing.
Exclusion: Unexplained dizziness or more than 2 falls in the previous month; Comorbidities besides stroke that impair walking (musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neurological); Inability to wear the exosuit due to conditions that require medical management, such as open wounds or broken skin, or as assessed by a licensed physical therapist; Severe pain, neglect, hemianopia, or aphasia limiting comprehension; Inability to communicate (as assessed by a licensed physical therapist).