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Safety and Usability of the STELO Exoskeleton in People With Acquired Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Acquired Brain Injury
Spinal Cord Injury
Interventions
Device: Stelo
Registration Number
NCT05265377
Lead Sponsor
MarsiBionics
Brief Summary

Gait impairment in people with acquired brain injury (ABI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) can be very heterogeneous. For this reason, STELO has been developed: a new concept of exoskeleton based on modular technology for gait assistance. It allows a personalised configuration according to the functional capacity of each patient, as the therapist can choose which robotic joints to use depending on the therapeutic goal and on the patient recovery phase. The objective is to analyse the usability of the STELO modular exoskeleton in people with ABI and SCI.

Detailed Description

A test phase will be conducted in healthy volunteers as a proof of concept with the aim of evaluating safety and usability in healthy participants prior to the use of the device in the ABI or SCI population (Phase 2).

After verifying that the device is safe in healthy people, phase 2 will begin: it consists of a total of 10 visits. These visits will include gait training sessions using the STELO modular exoskeleton.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
20
Inclusion Criteria
  • Weight < 100 kg.
  • Height 150-190 cm.
  • Hip width between 30 - 45 cm.
  • Distance from hip joint centre to knee joint centre: 36 cm - 50 cm.
  • Distance from the centre of the knee joint to the ground: 43.5 - 59.5 cm.
  • Shoe size EU 36-45.
  • Patients must be able to follow simple commands.
  • Age 18-85 years.
  • Diagnosis of ABI or SCI.
  • FAC level in participants with ABI < 4.
  • WISCI II level in participants with SCI < 20.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Spasticity (MAS) = 4 in lower limbs.
  • Skin alterations in the areas of contact with the device.
  • Planned surgical intervention during the duration of the study.
  • Two or more osteoporotic fractures in the lower limbs in the last 2 years.
  • Presence of other pathologies causing exercise intolerance (such as uncontrolled hypertension, coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, severe pulmonary disease).
  • Surgical operation in the 3 months prior to the start of the study on the limbs and/or spine.
  • Psychiatric disorders that interfere with proper use of the device or participation in the study such as impulsivity or inability to understand simple commands.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
STELO ExoskeletonStelo3 treatment sessions will be performed with the Stelo exoskeleton.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI)In all sessions during 6 weeks.

SCI participants

Skin integrityThrough study completion, an average of 100 days

Assess the size (centimetres) of the skin tag produced after use of the exoskeleton.

Kinematic gait analysisOnce during the first session.

Assessed by photogrammetry (VICON) in a gait analysis laboratory in healthy subjects

Functional Ambulation CategoriesIn all sessions during 6 weeks.

ABI participants

Physiotherapist's satisfaction (Therapist Satisfaction Scale)At the end of the study, 6th week

It will be assessed using Therapist Satisfaction Scale

SF-12At the end of the study, 6th week

Quality of life

Pain (Visual Analogic Scale)Through study completion, an average of 100 days

Pain registered before and after the use of the device, by the participant and therapist. The options are from 1 to 6. A higher score means a worse outcome. Pain registered before and after the use of the device, by the participant and therapist. The options are from 1 to 6. A higher score means a worse outcome.

Fall prevalenceDuring the use of the device, for 6 weeks.

Number of falling events ocurred from the participant or therapist.

10 Meters Walking Test (10MWT)In all sessions during 6 weeks.

Time to cover 10 meters using the decvice.

Time and assistance with device attachment and removalIn all sessions during 6 weeks.

Time taken in minutes to fit and remove the participant's device.

6 Minutes Walking Test (6MWT)In all sessions during 6 weeks.

Distance covered using the device in 6 minutes

Device malfunctionIn all sessions during 6 weeks.

Number and type of device malfunction

User perception of the device (QUEST 2.0)At the end of the study, 6th week

QUEST 2.0 will be assessed by the participant

Diastolic blood pressureThrough study completion, an average of 100 days

Assesment of diastolic blood pressure in mmHg

Timed Up and Go (TUG)In all sessions during 6 weeks.

Distance to go 3 metres, turn around and sit on a chair.

Participant's satisfaction of the device (Participant Satisfaction scale).At the end of the study, 6th week

It will be measured through Participant Satisfaction scale.

Heart rateThrough study completion, an average of 100 days

Assessment of heart rate (beats/min)

Oxygen saturationThrough study completion, an average of 100 days

% O2

Systolic blood pressureThrough study completion, an average of 100 days

Assesment of systolic blood pressure in mmHg

Muscular activationOnce during the first session.

Assessed by electromyography (NORAXON).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
AccesssibilityAt the end of the study, 6th week

Number of registered participants in relation to the data of potential participants who were not recruited obtained in the first screening

AcceptabilityAt the end of the study, 6th week

Analysis of the drop-out rate during the study period.

Trial Locations

Locations (3)

CEADAC

🇪🇸

Madrid, Spain

Centre for Automation and Robotics

🇪🇸

Madrid, Spain

LESCER

🇪🇸

Madrid, Spain

CEADAC
🇪🇸Madrid, Spain
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