Effects of a Powered Lower-Limb Exoskeleton on Walking Performance in Older Adults (NCT07633093) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Effects of a Powered Lower-Limb Exoskeleton on Walking Performance in Older Adults
China40 participantsStarted 2026-07-01
Plain-language 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.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 75 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
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.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
10-Meter Comfortable Gait Speed
Timeframe: During each trial visit following completion of the assigned study condition (up to 5 days)
2
400-Meter Average Walking Speed
Timeframe: During each trial visit following completion of the assigned study condition (up to 5 days)