Patient-centered Assessment of the Effects of Powered Exoskeleton Use in People With Spinal Cord Injury

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the efficacy of the use of powered exoskeleton for ambulation on the quality of life in subjects with spinal cord injury. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. How much does the use of powered exoskeleton improve the quality of life in subjects with spinal cord injury after a 24 months treatment period in a house context (treatment 1) or in a clinical setting (treatment 2)?
2. How much do the two treatments differ in terms of cost-utility ratio?

Participants will be included in a multi-step process consisting of:

1. Recruitment, based on eligibility criteria;
2. Observation of the "stability" over time (2 months) of specific clinical parameters;
3. Training in the use of the powered exoskeleton (1 month);
4. Random selection of the rehabilitation treatment (house rehabilitation or central rehabilitation); concerning the house rehabilitation, the subject will be provided the device for home use; concerning the central rehabilitation, the subject will be asked to use intensively the device 1-week every three months in a clinical facility.
5. Follow-up: every six months each subject will be asked to attend a single-day activities session consisting of walking activities with the exoskeleton, compilation of questionnaires, sub-maximal effort test with arm-ergometer, and physical examinations made by a physiatrist.

Study Overview

• Status: Suspended
• Conditions: Spinal Cord Injuries
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Rehabilitation

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 18
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Italy
  • Bologna
    • Budrio, Bologna, Italy, 40054
      • Centro Protesi Inail

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Assisted by Inail;
• Age between 18 and 65 years;
• Body weight lower than 113 Kg;
• Level of spinal lesion T4 and higher;
• Integrity of upper limbs (strength and range of motion assessed by a clinical operator);
• Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score A or B;
• Number of months after lesion higher than 6;
• Anthropometry in conformity with the declarations of exoskeleton's manufacturers.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of the powered exoskeleton in the last 6 months (in this case a wash-out phase is required);
• Use of colostomy bag;
• The subject is pregnant/ nursing;
• Presence of cognitive impairments;
• Presence of severe neurologic lesions in addition to SCI (sclerosis, cerebral palsy or trauma,…);
• Severe comorbidities;
• Uncontrolled hypertension or orthostatic hypotension;
• Uncontrolled autonomic dysreflexia;
• Problems at the skeletal system: T-score of femoral neck lower than -3 (DEXA examination is required), bone mineral density of proximal tibia or distal femur lower than 0.6 g/cm2, presence of non-recovered fractures, ectopic ossification, unstable spine;
• Kinesiologic impairments of the lower limbs: Ashworth spasticity of hamstrings, quadriceps, gastrocnemius muscles (right/ left) lower than 4, uncontrolled clonic spasm, pathologic contractures: non conformity of the range of motion of ankle/ knee/ hip with the requisites for use of powered exoskeletons for ambulation, presence of pressure lesions, dysmetria: femurs higher than 1.5 cm/ tibias higher than 2 cm;
• Kinesiologic impairments of the upper limbs: limitations at the joints, weakness of shoulder/ elbow/ hand (manual evaluation by a clinician), no autonomy in transfers;
• Weak control of the trunk;
• Inability to stand for at least 30 minutes;
• Presence of joint prostheses in upper and lower limbs;
• Use of drugs that may affect cognition and coordination while using the exoskeleton.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: House rehabilitation; The subjects will be provided of the powered exoskeleton for home use. No specific indications will be provided, but using the technology as much as possible. Every six months, the subjects will be asked to attend a single-day session by the clinical facility (follow-up session) consisting on the assessement of a series of qualitative and quantitative measurements.	Device: Rehabilitation; The subjects will be provided of the powered exoskeleton for home use. No specific indications will be provided, but using the technology as much as possible. The subjects will be asked to attend to periodic rehabilitation sessions by the clinical facility. The rehabilitation session will consist in an intense 1-week activities session every three months. Every six months, the subjects will be asked to attend a single-day session by the clinical facility (follow-up session) consisting on the assessement of a series of qualitative and quantitative measurements.
Experimental: Central rehabilitation; The subjects will be asked to attend to periodic rehabilitation sessions by the clinical facility. The rehabilitation session will consist in an intense 1-week activities session every three months. Every six months, the subjects will be asked to attend a single-day session by the clinical facility (follow-up session) consisting on the assessement of a series of qualitative and quantitative measurements.	Device: Rehabilitation; The subjects will be provided of the powered exoskeleton for home use. No specific indications will be provided, but using the technology as much as possible. The subjects will be asked to attend to periodic rehabilitation sessions by the clinical facility. The rehabilitation session will consist in an intense 1-week activities session every three months. Every six months, the subjects will be asked to attend a single-day session by the clinical facility (follow-up session) consisting on the assessement of a series of qualitative and quantitative measurements.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in quality of life (QoL)	Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36): Generic health status measure. It applies to all health conditions and contains 36 items, divided in 8 domains. The higher the score, the higher the QoL.	This outcome will be assessed at the baseline and immediately after the intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Incremental cost utility ratio (ICUR) associated to the treatment	Incremental cost utility ratio (ICUR) associated to the treatment: it provides healthcare decision- makers and providers with a straightforward information, that is, how much a "unit of utility improvement" would cost them and/or the society. Assuming a timeframe of analysis and two alternative technologies or treatments A and B, ICUR is the ratio between the difference in costs and the difference in utility of A and B	This outcome will be assessed immediately after the intervention
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events assessed by self-report and extracted from the medical records	Incidence of major adverse events related to the exoskeleton use: falls, bone fractures, skin lesions, pressure lesions, cardiovascular events	This outcome will be assessed immediately after the intervention
Active use assessed by the number of strides and steps performed with the exoskeleton.	Strides and steps performed with the exoskeleton are counted automatically by the exoskeleton system. This parameters can be monitored by connecting to the exoskeleton system via a proprietary software.	This outcome will be assessed immediately after the intervention.
Change in usability assessed by the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire	The SUS evaluates the usability of the assistive technology. It consists in 10 items with five response options for respondents, from Strongly agree to Strongly disagree. The participant's scores for each question are converted to a new number, added together and then multiplied by 2.5 to convert the original scores of 0-40 to 0-100. The higher the score, the higher the usability.	This outcome will be assessed at the baseline and at the months 6, 12, 18, 24
Change in satisfaction assessed by the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST) questionnaire	The QUEST evaluates a person's satisfaction with the assistive technology. It yields three scores: (i) Device, (ii) Services, and (iii) a total QUEST score. (i) consists of 10 items with five response options for respondents, from Strongly agree to Strongly disagree; the score is calculated by averaging the valid item responses; score range: 1-5. (ii) consists of 4 items with five response options for respondents, from Strongly agree to Strongly disagreeare; the score is calculated by averaging the valid item responses; score range: 1-5. (iii) is calculated by averaging the score of (i) and (ii). The QUEST presents a final section where the participants must indicate the three most important features of the technology.	This outcome will be assessed at the baseline and at the months 6, 12, 18, 24
Change in mental status assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) questionnaire	The PHQ-9 aims at identifying probable major depressive disorder among adult primary care patients. It consists in 9 items with four response options for respondents, from Never to Almost always. The final score is calculated by summing the valid item responses. Score range: 0 -27. The higher the score, the higher the level of depression.	This outcome will be assessed at the baseline and at the months 6, 12, 18, 24
Change in mental status assessed by the General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) questionnaire	The GAD-7 assesses participant's anxiety. It consists of 7 items with four response options for respondents, from Never to Almost always. The final score is calculated by summing the valid item responses. Score range: 0 -21. The higher the score, the higher the level of anxiety.	This outcome will be assessed at the baseline and at the months 6, 12, 18, 24
Change in fitness level assessed by the Metabolic Equivalents of Tasks (METs) associated to the consumption of oxygen (VO2) during a sub-maximal arm crank ergometer test	The VO2 consumption is measured with a metabolic system throughout an exercise protocol with an arm-ergometer. According to previous study protocols, the VO2 consumption in the last 30 seconds of the arm-ergometer test are used to estimate the peak of VO2 consumption. After, this value is converted in METs.	This outcome will be assessed at the baseline and at the months 6, 12, 18, 24
Change in muscular spasticity assessed by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)	The MAS assesses the resistance to passive range of motion about a single joint with a 6-point rating scale. It's performed by extending the patients limb first from a position of maximal possible flexion to maximal possible extension ( the point at which the first soft resistance is met). Afterwards, the modified Ashworth scale is assessed while moving from extension to flexion. The higher the score, the higher the muscular spasticity. The scores can assume the following values: 0 - No increase in tone;1 - slight increase in tone giving a catch when slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by the limb was moved in flexion or extension; 1+ - slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by a catch followed by minimal resistance throughout the range of motion; 2 -more marked increase in tone but more marked increased in muscle tone through most limb easily flexed; 3 - considerable increase in tone, passive movement difficult; 4 - limb rigid in flexion or extension.	This outcome will be assessed at the baseline and at the months 6, 12, 18, 24
Change in integrity of the rotator cuff muscles assessed by Jobe's test and Speed's test	The Jobe's test aids in diagnosing rotator cuff tears or subacromial impingement. The examiner passively elevates the patient's shoulder to 90 degrees of abduction with internal rotation. The examiner then applies a downward pressure against the arm. A positive test is the provocation of pain or abnormal weakness. The Speed's test is used to test for superior labral tears or bicipital tendonitis. To perform the Speed's Test, the examiner places the patient's arm in shoulder flexion, external rotation, full elbow extension, and forearm supination; manual resistance is then applied by the examiner in a downward direction. The test is considered to be positive if pain in the bicipital tendon or bicipital groove is reproduced In both test, the exerted force will be also measured using a dynamometer.	This outcome will be assessed at the baseline and at the months 6, 12, 18, 24
Change in self-care and independence assessed by the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) questionnaire	The SCIM assesses of the ability of SCI patients to perform basic activities of daily living. It assesses three subscales: (i) self-care, (ii) respiration and sphincter management, and (iii) mobility. (i) consists in 6 items with four or five response options for respondents. Score range: 0-20. (ii) consists in 4 items with three to six response options for respondents. Score range: 0-40. (iii) consists in 8 items with three to nine response options for respondents. Score range: 0-40. Each subscale score is evaluated separately by summing the valid item responses. The higher the score, the higher the level of independence.	This outcome will be assessed at the baseline and at the months 6, 12, 18, 24
Change in pain assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)	The pain VAS is a unidimensional measure of pain intensity, used to record patients' pain progression. It consists in a straight horizontal line of fixed length, usually 100 mm. The ends are defined as the extreme limits of the parameter to be measured (pain in this case) orientated from the left (worst) to the right (best).	This outcome will be assessed at the baseline and at the months 6, 12, 18, 24
Change in sphincter's functionality assessed by a 5-Likert scale	The 5-Likert scale consists of a single item which investigates the patients self-perceived sphincter's functionality, ranging from 1 (worst case) to 5 (best case)	This outcome will be assessed at the beginning of the trial and at each follow-up (every 6 months) until trial completion
Change in velocity during ambulation assessed by the 6 Minutes Walking Test (6 MWT)	The 6 MWT is a sub-maximal exercise test used to assess aerobic capacity and endurance. The distance covered over a time of 6 minutes is used as the outcome by which to compare changes in performance capacity.	This outcome will be assessed at the baseline and at the months 6, 12, 18, 24
Change in velocity during ambulation assessed by the 10 Meters Walking Test (10 MWT)	The 10 MWT is a performance measure used to assess walking speed in meters per second over a short distance. It can be employed to determine functional mobility, gait, and vestibular function.	This outcome will be assessed at the baseline and at the months 6, 12, 18, 24

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istituto Nazionale Assicurazione contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): January 1, 2030
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2033
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2033

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 16, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 31, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): April 13, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 27, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 23, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Wounds and Injuries; Trauma, Nervous System; Spinal Cord Diseases; Spinal Cord Injuries; Therapeutics; Patient Care; Health Services; Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Rehabilitation
• Other Study ID Numbers: SSC DCAPR Prospettico

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Pseudonymized data could be shared upon request only

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No