Ignite Creation Date:
2025-12-25 @ 1:22 AM
Ignite Modification Date:
2026-01-04 @ 8:33 AM
Study NCT ID:
NCT05736393
Status:
COMPLETED
Last Update Posted:
2025-12-08
First Post:
2023-01-10
Is NOT Gene Therapy:
True
Has Adverse Events:
False
Brief Title:
Translation of Robotic Apparel for Alleviating Low Back Pain
Sponsor:
Boston University Charles River Campus
Organization:
Study Overview
Official Title:
Translation of Robotic Apparel for Alleviating Low Back Pain: Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC)
Status:
COMPLETED
Status Verified Date:
2025-12
Last Known Status:
None
Delayed Posting:
No
If Stopped, Why?:
Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access:
False
If Expanded Access, NCT#:
N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status:
N/A
Acronym:
None
Brief Summary:
This is a NIAMS-sponsored clinical trial being conducted through the NIH Helping to End Addition Long-term (HEAL) Initiative's Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Research Program. This is a single-arm controlled trial with individuals aged 18-70 with low back pain (LBP). This study investigates the effect(s) of augmenting physical therapy (PT) interventions with the use of an experimental wearable soft robotic device ('exosuit').
Detailed Description:
Low back pain (LBP) has a lifetime prevalence of 80%, with approximately 20% of individuals experiencing recurrent episodes or chronic LBP (cLBP). Unfortunately, the evidence for the effectiveness of most rehabilitative treatment is low. With an economic burden approaching $100-billion in the United States alone, the National Institutes of Health has invested millions of dollars in innovative technologies aiming to improve rehabilitative care for low back injuries. As part of this initiative, the investigator's collaborative network of expert clinicians, engineers, and researchers have developed and tested robotic apparel technology (exosuit) that supplements ergonomic and biomechanical training and can be utilized by clinicians in the treatment of individuals with LBP.
Failed rehabilitation, and thus progression from acute to cLBP, is thought to be caused by maladaptive motor control strategies, muscle hyperactivity, reduced movement variability, and development of fear-avoidance-beliefs. The exosuit technology was designed to reduce exertion, encourage safe, varied movement strategies, and promote recovery through well-timed assistive forces to the trunk and hips during flexion postures and lifting tasks. The proposed project builds on this work through use of the exosuit to augment traditional physical therapy care. In doing so, the investigators will determine whether this technology can enhance rehabilitation after back injuries, interrupt the progression of acute to chronic LBP, encourage non-maladaptive movement strategies, and expedite the timeline of return to prior level of function.
To examine the effects of exosuit augmented physical therapy rehabilitation and reduce disability, the investigators will recruit individuals with LBP who are referred to or receiving physical therapy into a single arm clinical trial. The investigators will evaluate feasibility, safety and usability of the exosuit, as well as changes in pain and disability throughout 6 weeks of rehabilitation and compare outcomes to a historical control group who received usual care. The investigators will also evaluate changes in fear-avoidance beliefs, range of motion, and motor control and compare outcomes between exosuit-augmented and no suit conditions over the 6 weeks. Primary outcomes of feasibility, usability, and safety of using a back exosuit to augment routine physical therapy will be evaluated. Secondary outcomes include the efficacy of using a back exosuit to augment routine physical therapy, measured by comparing changes in self-perceived pain and disability compared to the historical control group. Tertiary outcomes include the identification of interventional phenotypes by determining the relationship between changes in symptoms and changes in biomechanics function through exosuit-augmented physical therapy.
Failed rehabilitation, and thus progression from acute to cLBP, is thought to be caused by maladaptive motor control strategies, muscle hyperactivity, reduced movement variability, and development of fear-avoidance-beliefs. The exosuit technology was designed to reduce exertion, encourage safe, varied movement strategies, and promote recovery through well-timed assistive forces to the trunk and hips during flexion postures and lifting tasks. The proposed project builds on this work through use of the exosuit to augment traditional physical therapy care. In doing so, the investigators will determine whether this technology can enhance rehabilitation after back injuries, interrupt the progression of acute to chronic LBP, encourage non-maladaptive movement strategies, and expedite the timeline of return to prior level of function.
To examine the effects of exosuit augmented physical therapy rehabilitation and reduce disability, the investigators will recruit individuals with LBP who are referred to or receiving physical therapy into a single arm clinical trial. The investigators will evaluate feasibility, safety and usability of the exosuit, as well as changes in pain and disability throughout 6 weeks of rehabilitation and compare outcomes to a historical control group who received usual care. The investigators will also evaluate changes in fear-avoidance beliefs, range of motion, and motor control and compare outcomes between exosuit-augmented and no suit conditions over the 6 weeks. Primary outcomes of feasibility, usability, and safety of using a back exosuit to augment routine physical therapy will be evaluated. Secondary outcomes include the efficacy of using a back exosuit to augment routine physical therapy, measured by comparing changes in self-perceived pain and disability compared to the historical control group. Tertiary outcomes include the identification of interventional phenotypes by determining the relationship between changes in symptoms and changes in biomechanics function through exosuit-augmented physical therapy.
Study Oversight
Has Oversight DMC:
True
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?:
False
Is a FDA Regulated Device?:
True
Is an Unapproved Device?:
True
Is a PPSD?:
None
Is a US Export?:
False
Is an FDA AA801 Violation?:
Secondary ID Infos
| Secondary ID | Type | Domain | Link | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4UH3AR076731-02 | NIH | None | https://reporter.nih.gov/quic… | View |