NewGait: A Low-Cost Rehabilitation System to Improve Post-Stroke Gait (Biomechanical Adaptations)

December 5, 2025 updated by: Chandramouli Krishnan, University of Michigan
An affordable and easy to use gait-assistive device for stroke survivors to use at home is yet to be developed. This study is intended to modify the current design of the NewGait device to specifically work for stroke survivors based on feedback from patients and clinicians. Consequently, conducting a short-term biomechanical gait study is planned to determine the usability and functionality of the NewGait device compared to other comparative devices.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

More than 795,000 individuals suffer from a stroke each year in the United States, making stroke a leading cause of adult disability in the United States and worldwide. More than half of stroke survivors exhibit reduced independence and functional mobility due to stroke-related gait impairments. Despite significant advancements in post-stroke medical care and rehabilitation, current treatments are not successful in optimally restoring gait function after stroke. It is well established that intense, repetitive task-oriented rehabilitation interventions are essential for inducing experience-dependent neuroplasticity (defined as the ability of the nervous system to adapt and optimize its resources through structural and functional changes)-which is a key factor for post-stroke gait recovery. Accordingly, new therapeutic approaches that rely on specialized gait training devices, such as treadmills, robotic devices, and exosuits have been developed. However, these devices are typically expensive, bulky, and not accessible for home use. Moreover, these devices often require uninterrupted power sources, which is a major barrier for rural communities in developing nations. While some lightweight and "low-cost" commercial devices exist, they are not often designed based on multi-user feedback and robust biomechanical data and their clinical utility have not been tested in stroke survivors, thereby limiting usability and effectiveness. Thus, there is a significant unmet clinical need for an effective, affordable, and portable gait mobility/rehabilitation device that is accessible for most stroke survivors. This Phase-I STTR pursues the following specific aims: (1) Identify an optimal NewGait design based on end-user feedback (design sprints) and musculoskeletal modeling to address the needs of stroke rehabilitation, (2) Refine the current prototype using data gathered from design sprints and think aloud technique and perform benchtop testing on the final prototype to validate durability, and (3) Examine short-term gait adaptations and clinical feasibility in stroke survivors by performing a comparative clinical feasibility study in stroke survivors to establish the clinical utility of the NewGait device in comparison with other similar devices. This trial registration is for the third aim only, as the first two aims do not follow under the definition of clinical trial. All devices tested are deemed to be 501(k) exempt devices. The successful completion of this Phase-I STTR will lay the foundation for an evidence-based low-cost gait rehabilitation system that could positively affect the lives of millions of stroke survivors living across the globe.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
20

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: Chandramouli Krishnan, PT, PhD
  • Phone Number: 7349364031
  • Email: mouli@umich.edu

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Michigan
      • Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48108
        • Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 325 E Eisenhower Pkwy Suite 3011

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Unilateral cortical or subcortical stroke
  • Chronic stroke (≥ 6 months) At least 6 months following their first unilateral stroke
  • Able to walk independently with/without assistive devices for 5-10 mins (~150m)
  • No significant cognitive deficits as determined by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score (score≥ 22)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Cerebellar stroke
  • Traumatic or vascular brain injury
  • History of unstable heart condition, uncontrolled diabetes/hypertension
  • History of a recent lower-extremity trauma or fracture
  • History of a recent significant orthopedic or neurological conditions that could limit walking ability (e.g., multiple sclerosis, total knee replacement)
  • Documented history of significant spatial neglect
  • ankle joint contractures or significant spasticity in the lower limbs
  • History of a recent Botulinum Toxin (Botox) injection to the lower-extremity muscles (≤ 3 months)
  • Pregnant or actively planning to become pregnant (self-reported)- Inability to communicate or unable to consent

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: NewGait
Participants will put on the NewGait device and walk on the treadmill and overground. Participants may receive biofeedback of their gait patterns to engage them in the training.
Other: NewGait
wearable limb orthotic device
Other: Control
Participants will put on the Control device and walk on the treadmill and over ground. Participants may receive biofeedback of their gait patterns to engage them in the training.
Other: Control wearable limb orthotic device
wearable limb orthotic device

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Gait Speed
Time Frame: Up to 2 hours
Changes in gait speed (from baseline) as measured using the 10 Meter Walk Test between the experimental (NewGait) and control conditions. Participants were timed during the 10 Meter Walk Test to determine their self-selected gait speed while walking overground in a hallway. In this test, participants walked down a 14 meter walkway, and a stopwatch was used to time how long it took participants to cross the intermediate 10 meter distance. The baseline measure for the first device was taken immediately prior to the intervention. Participants then wore the first device, and the during-training measure was taken immediately. After this, participants received training with the device for about 15 minutes, following which, the device was removed and the post-intervention measure was taken immediately for the first device. Participants then rested for 20-30 minutes. This entire process was repeated with the second device. All measures were obtained on the same day.
Up to 2 hours
Ankle Muscle Activation
Time Frame: Up to 2 hours
Changes in ankle muscle activation of the leg muscles as measured using surface electromyography between the experimental (NewGait) and control conditions. Muscle activation ranges from 0 to no upper limit, and higher activation meant that the muscle was being used more. The baseline measure for the first device was taken immediately prior to the intervention. Participants then wore the first device, and the during-training measure was taken immediately. After this, participants received training with the device for about 15 minutes, following which, the device was removed, and the post-intervention measure was taken immediately for the first device. Participants then rested for 20-30 minutes. This entire process was repeated with the second device. All measures were obtained on the same day.
Up to 2 hours

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Changes in Paretic Leg Propulsive Force
Time Frame: Up to 2 hours
Changes in paretic leg propulsive force were measured using ground reaction forces obtained from force sensors during walking between the experimental (NewGait) and control conditions. Propulsive force had no upper or lower limit, with a higher number indicating greater propulsion from the paretic limb. The baseline measure for the first device was taken immediately prior to the intervention. Participants then wore the first device, and the during-training measure was taken immediately. After this, participants received training with the device for about 15 minutes, following which, the device was removed, and the post-intervention measure was taken immediately for the first device. Participants then rested for 20-30 minutes. This entire process was repeated with the second device. Results reflect Newton units in force generated divided by Newton units of body weight (N/N) times 100. All measures were obtained on the same day.
Up to 2 hours

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Changes in Paretic Leg Loading (i.e., Vertical Ground Reaction Force)
Time Frame: Up to 2 hours
Changes in paretic leg loading were measured using vertical ground reaction forces obtained from force sensors during walking between the experimental (NewGait) and control conditions.
Up to 2 hours
Changes in Other Lower Extremity Muscle Activation
Time Frame: Up to 2 hours
Changes in lower extremity muscle activation as measured using surface electromyography between the experimental (NewGait) and control conditions.
Up to 2 hours
Muscle Coordination
Time Frame: Up to 2 hours
Changes in ankle muscle coordination of the leg muscles as measured using surface electromyography between the experimental (NewGait) and control conditions.
Up to 2 hours

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Michigan

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Chandramouli Krishnan, PT, PhD, University of Michigan

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
April 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 9, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 9, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 13, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 20, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
February 21, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
December 23, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
December 5, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • HUM00226149
  • 1R41HD111289-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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