Powered Exoskeleton Combined With Functional Electrical Stimulation in Clinical Practice

August 22, 2022 updated by: François Routhier, Laval University

Implementation of Locomotor Training Program Using a Powered Exoskeleton Combined With Functional Electrical Stimulation in Clinical Practice for Persons With an Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury - WHY and HOW to do it?

After partial spinal cord injury, gait deficits may be present and often remain even after intensive rehabilitation. New robotic technologies have recently emerged to help augment the extent of rehabilitation. However, these are complex tools to integrate into clinical practice and little is known about the potential factors that may influence the uptake of a locomotor program using this technology by clinicians. The goal of this project is to bring together researchers, administrators, clinicians and patients to define and implement an overground robotized gait training program in clinic. We will also investigate the added value of leg and trunk muscle stimulation combined with robotic walking training, to see if it could enhance recovery.

Study Overview

Status

Enrolling by invitation

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Powered exoskeleton technology represents a promising rehabilitation intervention for persons with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). The overall aim of the present study is to investigate the implementability of an overground locomotor training program using a powered exoskeleton in persons with a subacute iSCI at the Institut de réadaptation en déficience physique de Québec, with and without functional electrical stimulation (FES). Over the 2-year period of the project, a logic model will be co-developed with stakeholders to support clinicians and administrators in the management of the locomotor training program. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, we will evaluate the feasibility and perceived barriers/facilitators to the implementation in clinical practice of the training program. Finally, a pre-post design with individuals receiving the intervention either combined with FES or not, will allow quantifying of the benefits of combining FES in addition to robotic gait training on functional walking capacity in persons with a subacute iSCI.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

10

Phase

  • 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 Locations

    • Quebec
      • Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
        • Laval University

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

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 70 years (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

General

  • Measure between 5'1" and 6'3" (1.5 and 1.9m)
  • Weigh less than 200 pounds (90kg)
  • Present a diagnosis of incomplete spinal cord injury
  • Have the ability to maintain a standing position and/or have therapeutic walking ability at Stage 1B or more of the Rick Hansen Institute SCI Standing and Walking Assessment Toolkit
  • Present sufficient upper extremity strength and function to use a walker with wheels
  • Femur length between 37 and 49cm
  • Width of hips when seated <42 cm
  • Obtain approval from a physician to participate in the project
  • Standing tolerance >15 minutes

For FES:

  • Respond favourably to functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the main lower extremity muscle groups: (gluteus, quadriceps, hamstrings, dorsiflexors, etc.) as determined by a physiotherapist.
  • Have no contraindications to FES according to the guidelines of the Canadian physiotherapy association (CPA).

Exclusion Criteria:

General:

  • Poor fit of the exoskeleton as determined by the research team
  • Present contraindications to the use of the Indego® exoskeleton as described by the company
  • Present lower extremity skin lesions or sores
  • Any medical condition or co-morbidity that may impair collaboration and participation or making it unsafe to wear the exoskeleton, for example (non-exhaustive list) :
  • Disabling pain.
  • Significant sensory disturbances in the lower limbs that limit safe walking.
  • Cognitive disorders that impair the ability to collaborate.
  • Osteoporosis.
  • Unconsolidated fractures of the lower limbs.
  • Uncontrolled reflex dysautonomia.
  • Severe peripheral vascular disease.
  • Severe heart failure.
  • Severe, active infection

FES Exclusion Criteria

  • Pregnancy;
  • Presence of a malignant tumor
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Hemorrhagic condition
  • Infection or osteomyelitis
  • Presence of weakened/damaged skin
  • Circulatory disorders
  • Epilepsy
  • Electronic implant

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: NA
  • Interventional Model: SINGLE_GROUP
  • Masking: NONE

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
EXPERIMENTAL: OLTP/PE+FES

3-5 familiarization sessions + 12 training sessions (3 blocks of 4 training sessions; 60-90 min each session, 2-3 sessions per week) of an overground locomotor training program using a powered exoskeleton combined with functional electrical stimulation (OLTP/PE+FES).

The training sessions are divided into 3 blocks. Each block will take place over a period of approximately 2 weeks (2-3 sessions/week) and will consist of 3 training sessions with exoskeleton combined with FES and a fourth session with exoskeleton alone, without FES.

For each participant, FES intensity will be set for each muscle in order to elicit a palpable muscle contraction. FES timing and duration is already built into the device. For each participant, specific level of assistance for each hip and knee, and gait parameters will be set and adjusted during a familiarization period with the PE. Level of PE assistance will then be adjusted weekly to ensure training progression.

12 sessions OLTP/PE + FES

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Modified Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
Time Frame: 2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)
A walking endurance test that measures the longest distance covered continuously during a maximum of six minutes.
2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)
Change in 10 meter Walk Test (10mWT)
Time Frame: 2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)
Measures preferred and maximal walking speeds over 10 meters
2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)
Change in Modified Timed Up and Go test (TUG)
Time Frame: 2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)
A functional test that assesses sit-to-stand transfers, balance and mobility
2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)
Change in Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI-II)
Time Frame: 2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)
functional walking capacity scale that describes the amount of physical assistance, braces or devices required to walk 10 meters
2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Brief pain inventory questionnaire
Time Frame: 2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)
Intensity of pain
2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)
Change in Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Conditions scale (SCI-SCS)
Time Frame: 2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)
This scale specifically targets secondary conditions associated with SCI that directly and indirectly impact health and physical functioning. The rating scale uses a 4-point ordinal scale ranging from 0 (not experienced/insignificant problem never limiting activity) to 3 (significant/chronic problem). Total scores range from 0 to 48. Higher scores indicate greater overall problems with secondary conditions
2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)
Change in the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
Time Frame: 2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)

A measure of lower limb spasticity. Scores range from 0 to 4. Higher scores indicate greater spasticity.

scale.

2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)
Change in electromyographic (EMG) activity of the tibialis anterior, triceps surae, quadriceps, hamstrings muscles during walking.will be recorded using a Delsys Trigno system.
Time Frame: 2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)
Muscle activation patterns (i.e., amplitude, timing) and muscle fatigue (reduction in the median frequency of the EMG power spectrum) will be documented.
2 assessment timepoints: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (1 to 2 weeks later)

Collaborators and Investigators

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

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)

December 10, 2020

Primary Completion (ANTICIPATED)

August 1, 2023

Study Completion (ANTICIPATED)

August 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 11, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 24, 2020

First Posted (ACTUAL)

September 29, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (ACTUAL)

August 24, 2022

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 22, 2022

Last Verified

August 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

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.

Clinical Trials on Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Clinical Trials on OLTP/PE + FES

3
Subscribe