The Effect of a Passive Hip Exoskeleton on Daily-life Fatigue in Older Adults

Evaluating and Monitoring Physical Fatigue While Performing Functional Activities

This crossover study investigates whether a passive lower-limb exoskeleton (Exoband) can reduce perceived exertion during everyday mobility tasks in older adults. Participants complete the fatigue protocol- a structured sequence of daily challenging tasks (e.g., overground walking, stair and slope walking, obstacle avoidance)-once with the Exoband and once without it, in randomized order and separated by a one-week washout period. During each session, distance covered until fatigue, rate of perceived exertion, physiological and gait parameters are recorded. The aim is to determine whether exoskeleton assistance enhances mobility performance and reduces functional fatigue across older adults.

Study Overview

• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Conditions: Fatigue; Older Adults (65 Years and Older)
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Performance test; Device: Exoband

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 15
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Belgium
  • Brussels Capital
    • Jette, Brussels Capital, Belgium, 1090
      • Brubotics Rehabilitation Research Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• > 65 years old
• Healthy physical condition

Exclusion Criteria:

• Physical injury or disorder that doesn't allow good physical performance

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Exoband ON; The participants execute the fatigue protocol while wearing the passive hip exoskeletons (Exoband).	Other: Performance test; The participant will be asked to execute a protocol in the movement lab that induces progressive feelings of fatigue. This protocol includes a sequence of relevant functional activities, such as stair walking, slope walking, crouching, walking different path shapes. During this execution the Ratings of Perceived Exertion will be questioned, and simultaneously physiological and movement data will be collected.; Device: Exoband; The participant will wear the Exoband (Moveo), which is a lightweight, soft wearable exoskeleton designed to assist walking by providing elastic support to the hip during gait. It uses passive elastic elements to store and release energy in sync with the user's movement, reducing muscular effort without motors or batteries. The system is unobtrusive and aims to support mobility while preserving natural movement patterns.
Placebo Comparator: Exoband OFF; The participants execute the fatigue protocol without wearing the passive hip exoskeletons (Exoband).	Other: Performance test; The participant will be asked to execute a protocol in the movement lab that induces progressive feelings of fatigue. This protocol includes a sequence of relevant functional activities, such as stair walking, slope walking, crouching, walking different path shapes. During this execution the Ratings of Perceived Exertion will be questioned, and simultaneously physiological and movement data will be collected.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Changes in the Ratings of Perceived Exertion throughout the protocol execution	The subjective feelings of fatigue will be evaluated through the Ratings of Perceived Exertion, using the modified Borg Scale (score ranging from 0 'no exertion' to 10 'maximal exertion'). This will be expressed verbally by the participant throughout the execution of the protocol.	Through study completion, an average of 1-2 weeks.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Changes in muscle activity (surface EMG) throughout the protocol execution	Muscle activity data will be collected continuously throughout the protocol execution. Data acquisition will occur in a synchronized manner.	Through study completion, an average of 1-2 weeks.
Changes in heart rate (variability) (ECG sensors) throughout the protocol execution	Cardiorespiratory data (Heart rate) will be collected continuously throughout the protocol execution. Data acquisition will occur in a synchronized manner.	Through study completion, an average of 1-2 weeks.
Changes in muscle oxygen saturation (Moxy Monitor) throughout the protocol execution	Oxygen saturation data will be collected continuously throughout the protocol execution. Data acquisition will occur in a synchronized manner.	Through study completion, an average of 1-2 weeks.
Changes in electrodermal activity (Galvanic Skin Response - finger electrodes) throughout the protocol execution	Electrodermal activity data will be collected continuously throughout the protocol execution. Data acquisition will occur in a synchronized manner.	Through study completion, an average of 1-2 weeks.
Changes in motion data (IMU sensors) throughout the protocol execution	Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) data will be collected continuously throughout the protocol execution. Data acquisition will occur in a synchronized manner.	Through study completion, an average of 1-2 weeks.
Changes in respiratory rate (respiratory chest band) throughout the protocol execution	Respiratory data will be collected continuously throughout the protocol execution. Data acquisition will occur in a synchronized manner.	Through study completion, an average of 1-2 weeks.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: David Beckwée, PhD, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 11, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 10, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 21, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): January 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 22, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 21, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Fatigue
• Other Study ID Numbers: RevalExo_Exoband

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