Exoskeleton-Assisted Mobility in Aging and in Parkinson's Disease
Exoskeleton-Assisted Mobility in Aging and in Parkinson's Disease: A Mixed-Methods Study of Effectiveness and Acceptability
Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais
26 participants
Apr 30, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This study will evaluate whether a wearable robotic exoskeleton can improve mobility, balance, and walking in healthy older adults and in individuals living with Parkinson's disease, populations at high risk of falls and mobility limitations. Participants will attend two laboratory sessions. The first session includes clinical assessments, fitting and familiarization with the exoskeleton, and interviews to explore user perceptions. The second session involves performing functional mobility tasks (e.g., walking, standing, turning) with and without the exoskeleton and under different assistance levels, while movement is measured using wearable sensors. The study will assess the immediate effects of the exoskeleton on mobility, compare assistance levels, identify which participants benefit most, and explore user experience and acceptability. Findings will help inform the development and implementation of assistive technologies to support mobility in healthy aging and in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria6
- Participants with Parkinson's disease
- Ability to walk for at least 30 minutes with or without minimal aid
- Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease
- Hoehn and Yahr stage 1 to 4
- Ability to walk for at least 30 minutes with or without minimal aid
- Age ≥ 65 years old
Exclusion Criteria15
- Height smaller than 152 cm
- Severe vascular conditions of the lower limbs that may limit mobility or pose a risk.
- Presence of any implantable or external life-sustaining medical device such as a pacemaker
- Severe osteoporosis or high risk of fractures
- Contra-indication to the required physical effort
- Severe cognitive impairment (MoCA < 21)
- Presence of neurological disorders, lower-limb injuries, or other conditions interfering with mobility, other than Parkinson's disease.
- Healthy elderly participants without Parkinson's disease
- Height smaller than 152 cm
- Severe vascular conditions of the lower limbs that may limit mobility or pose a risk.
- Presence of any implantable or external life-sustaining medical device such as a pacemaker
- Severe osteoporosis or high risk of fractures
- Contra-indication to the required physical effort
- Severe cognitive impairment (MoCA < 21)
- Presence of neurological disorders, lower-limb injuries, or other conditions interfering with mobility
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Interventions
The exoskeleton assistance in condition 2 will correspond to the preferred assistance level determined during the first session using an iterative approach. For conditions 3 and 4, four exoskeleton parameters will be adjusted: eccentric load assistance, concentric load assistance, assistance during lower-limb flexion in the swing phase, and assistance during lower-limb extension in the swing phase. The increased and decreased assistance conditions will correspond to an increase and a decrease of 3 Nm, respectively, for each of these parameters. A minimum assistance of 1 Nm per parameter will be maintained when the baseline preferred assistance level is low. During condition 5, the exoskeleton will be set to free mode, meaning that no assistance will be provided, but motor resistance will be eliminated.
Locations(1)
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NCT07567482