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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05097612

Evaluation of a Soft Exoskeleton to Support Forward Leaning and Lifting

In this study the LiftSuit version 2.0 designed by Auxivo AG will be used. The LiftSuit is a soft wearable device that is designed to support workers perform physically demanding tasks including repetitive lifting and working in forward leaning positions. It is put on like a backpack and attached to the body using fabric bands and cuffs. Besides soft fabric parts the LiftSuit contains elastics elements. The elastic elements can be flexibly exchanged by the experimenter. For this experiment elastic elements of known stiffness will be hooked into the fabric frame.

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Key information

Conditions

Occupational Exposure

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

ETH Zurich, Rehabilitation Engeineering Laboratory

Zurich, 8008, Switzerland

About this study

In a first step participants will try on the LiftSuit exoskeleton and adjust it to their body under supervision of the experimenter. When the LiftSuit exoskeleton is adjusted to the participant it is taken off to allow placement of sensors. The sensors used to record heart rate (Polar H9 heart rate monitor, Polar Electro Europe AG, Germany), muscle activity from 8 muscles in the back and hip region (Delsys Trigno, Delsys Europe, United Kingdom) and movement kinematics (OptiTrack motion capture system, NaturalPoint Inc., USA) will be placed by the experimenter (or participant him/herself). To verify that the electromyography sensors, are working and to obtain normalization values, participants will be instructed to conduct maximal voluntary contractions of each muscle that are being recorded. If needed single sensors can be replaced. After this the exoskeleton will be put back on.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Included will be volunteers of both sexes within working age (18 to 65 years).

Exclusion criteria

  • Participants will be excluded if they cannot perform the tasks (squat lifting and forward leaning) due to physical limitations. Furthermore, people who report acute joint or muscle pain or stiffness, or a self-reported history of such problems will be excluded.

Treatment and study plan

Placebo LiftSuit Exoskeleton

Device

The LiftSuit is a soft passive wearable device that is designed to support the hip and back muscles during forward leaning and lifting. It exerts it function through Elastic Energy Storages (EES). In this condition the EES are removed from the device to create a placebo device.

LiftSuit Exoskeleton (low support level)

Device

The LiftSuit is a soft passive wearable device that is designed to support the hip and back muscles during forward leaning and lifting. It exerts it function through Elastic Energy Storages (EES). EES of different three different levels of stiffness (low, medium, high stiffness) will be used.

LiftSuit Exoskeleton (medium support level)

Device

The LiftSuit is a soft passive wearable device that is designed to support the hip and back muscles during forward leaning and lifting. It exerts it function through Elastic Energy Storages (EES). EES of different three different levels of stiffness (low, medium, high stiffness) will be used.

LiftSuit Exoskeleton (high support level)

Device

The LiftSuit is a soft passive wearable device that is designed to support the hip and back muscles during forward leaning and lifting. It exerts it function through Elastic Energy Storages (EES). EES of different three different levels of stiffness (low, medium, high stiffness) will be used.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in muscle activity of hip extensor muscles (placebo comparator - low support experimental intervention)

    Time frame: 2 hours

    An elastic band placed external to the body parallel to the spine and over the hip joint is likely to support the muscles that extend the hip and back. Less hip extensor muscle (m. gluteus maximus, hamstrings) activity is expected in LiftSuit conditions compared to the placebo comparator condition.

  2. Change in muscle activity of back extensor muscles (placebo comparator - low support experimental intervention)

    Time frame: 2 hours

    An elastic band placed external to the body paralell to the spine and over the hip joint is likely to support the muscles that extend the hip and back. Less back muscle activity (erector spinae at lumbar and thoracic level) is expected in LiftSuit conditions compared to the placebo comparator condition.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in muscle activity of hip extensor muscles related to stiffness level of the Elastic Energy Storages (low, medium, high stiffness).

    Time frame: 2 hours

    A reduction in muscle activity is expected. This reduction is expected to be related to the stiffness level of the EES. With high stiffness, leading to more support, leading to less muscle activity.

  2. Change in muscle activity of back muscles related to stiffness level of the Elastic Energy Storages (low, medium, high stiffness).

    Time frame: 2 hours

    The reduction in muscle activity is expected to be related to the stiffness level of the EES. With high stiffness, leading to more support, leading to less muscle activity.

Other outcomes

  1. Change in muscle activity of abdominal muscles (placebo comparator - experimental intervention)

    Time frame: 2 hours

    An elastic band placed external to the body over the hip joint is likely to support the muscles that extend the hip. It could be that this setup might heightened levels of activity in the abdomen.

  2. Change in hip angle kinematics (placebo comparator - experimental intervention)

    Time frame: 2 hours

    Changed forces around the hip joint might influence movement kinematics of this joint. Changes in position and acceleration of the joint angle will be calculated.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology

Other

Collaborators

  • Auxivo AG

Registry information

Official study title

"Evaluation of a Soft Exoskeleton With Parallel Springs and Its Ability to Reduce Physical Load During Lifting and Leaning"

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Oct 28, 2021
Registry last updated
Nov 29, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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