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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05736393

Translation of Robotic Apparel for Alleviating Low Back Pain

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').

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Key information

Conditions

Low Back Pain Back Pain Chronic Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Boston University Physical Therapy Center

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18-70
  • Diagnosis of LBP by licensed medical provider or self-report of lower back pain (initially gathered through partial HIPAA waiver, and confirmed during in-person screening visit)
  • Self-reported LBP with bending or lifting
  • Able to walk without an assistive device.
  • Willing and able to provide informed consent.
  • Provide HIPAA Authorization to allow communication with the primary healthcare provider (e.g., treating physical therapist) for communication (as needed) during the study period.
  • Must undergo physical therapy examination with research physical therapist and be assigned a Treatment-Based Classification (TBC) of movement impairment or control impairment.

Exclusion criteria

  • Unable to attend all scheduled visits and 1-month phone follow-up
  • Currently pregnant or likely to become pregnant within 6 weeks
  • Having received surgery to address current LBP
  • Having pain or symptoms below the knee that seems related to their current LBP
  • Having current LBP lasting less than 2 weeks
  • Diagnosed or self-reported neurological disorders effecting motor control (stroke, Parkinson's disease, etc.)
  • Use of a pacemaker or other implanted medical devices
  • Currently under treatment for cancer
  • Skin issues / sensitivity that an exosuit could exacerbate (e.g., Epidermolysis Bullosa)
  • Any other medical conditions that would preclude safe use of the exosuit device as determined by a physical therapist

Treatment and study plan

Back Exosuit

Device

The device is worn like a backpack. It weighs 6 pounds. Participants will be able to perform movements naturally in the device. A ribbon serves as an external muscle to reduce the load and effort during lifting. As participants bend forward, the device assists the participant by supporting some of their body weight by gently pulling back. As participants stand up, the device assists them by gently pulling their trunk upright. Participants will feel the level of assistance change slightly as they move faster or slower. Participants will use this device during 20-40 minutes of physical therapy exercises during 12 visits over 4-6 weeks. Once it is fit and adjusted to each participant's comfort, the physical therapist will control the level of assistance the device provides similarly to how they would adapt any given exercise. Participants may start with more assistance and wean down over the course of the study.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Suit Usability measured by Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive technology (QUEST survey 2.0)

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    Suit usability measured by the QUEST survey 2.0. The QUEST is a standardized usability scale to determine a user's device satisfaction. Results range from 1 to 5 on a Likert Scale, with higher scores (5) corresponding to a very satisfied response.

  2. Change in Suit Safety measured by patient-reported pain

    Time frame: Pre and Post Every Visit including baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment)

    The Numerical Rating Scale of Pain will measure patient-reported levels of current pain intensity at the beginning and end of every study visit. Results range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating increased pain intensity.

  3. Change in Suit Safety measured by patient reported body discomfort

    Time frame: Post Every Visit including baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment)

    The patient-reported level of current body discomfort will be appraised using a localized Numerical Rating Scale of Pain. At the end of every study visit, participants will rank their pain level in regions contacted by the exosuit, including the i) shoulders, chest, and upper back, ii) lower back, and iii) the thighs and lower legs. Results range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating increased pain intensity.

  4. Change in Suit Effect & Safety measured by Perceived Task Discomfort

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    The patient-reported level of task discomfort will be measured at the end of selected biomechanical assessment tasks (performed with the suit in a slack and active condition). Participants will rank task discomfort on a numerical rating scale of task discomfort. Results range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating higher total body difficulty.

  5. Change in Suit Effect measured by Concern of Movement

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    Patient-reported level of concern of movement will be measured at the end of each biomechanical visit. Four selected images from the Photo Series of Daily Activity will be ranked, with the participants envisioning themselves completing the task with or without the aid of the exosuit (Quirk et al., 2023). Results range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating higher concern with completing the task.

  6. Change in Suit Effect measured by Perceived task effort

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    Patient-reported level of task effort will be measured at the end of selected biomechanical assessment tasks (performed with the suit in a slack and active condition). Participants will rank task difficulty on a numerical rating scale of task difficulty. Results range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating higher task difficulty.

  7. Change in Biomechanical Suit Effect measured by Trunk range of motion

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are positioned on the torso and each thigh. IMU biomechanics will be processed to determine the peak trunk range of motion. This measure will be calculated in all planes of motion. For selected biomechanical assessment tasks (performed with the suit in a slack and active condition) peak angles and velocity will quantify biomechanical effects.

  8. Change in Biomechanical Suit Effect measured by Trunk velocity

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are positioned on the torso and each thigh. IMU biomechanics will be processed to determine the peak trunk velocity. This measure will be calculated in all planes of motion. For selected biomechanical assessment tasks (performed with the suit in a slack and active condition) peak angles and velocity will quantify biomechanical effects.

  9. Change in Biomechanical Suit Effect measured by trunk coordination

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are positioned on the torso and each thigh. IMU biomechanics will be processed to determine the peak trunk velocity. This measure will be calculated in all planes of motion. For selected biomechanical assessment tasks (performed with the suit in a slack and active condition) peak angles and velocity will quantify biomechanical effects.

  10. Change in Functional Suit effect measured by peak deadlift pull force

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    Measured during maximum voluntary isometric contractions (kg) will be measured using a stationary dynamometer. Peak full force will be measured for the slack and active suit condition.

  11. Change in Functional Suit Effect measured by peak dynamic lifting force

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    Measured during dynamic 4 repetitions, progressive (5 pound incremental) floor-to-waist functional capacity lifting evaluation. The maximum mass lifted (repetitions performed) will compared between the slack and active suit conditions.

  12. Change in Functional Suit Effect measured by endurance lifting task

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    Measured during dynamic 2.5 minute dynamic asymmetric lifting task. The maximum repetitions performed will compared between the slack and active suit conditions.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Pain measured by Numerical rating scale of pain (worst in last 24 hours)

    Time frame: Pre and Post Every Visit including baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment), and follow-up post discharge (up to 13 weeks post time 0)

    Patient-reported level of their worse pain intensity in the last 24 hours will be measured by the Numerical Rating Scale of Pain, at the beginning and end of every study visit. Results range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating increased pain intensity.

  2. Change in Patient-reported Disability score measured by the modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MDQ)

    Time frame: Pre and Post Every Visit including baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment), and follow-up post discharge (up to 13 weeks post time 0)

    Patient-reported pain intensity and interference is measured by the Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MDQ) scale. The MDQ is a series of 10 questions. Results range from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating increased low-back related disability.

Other outcomes

  1. Change in Trunk Biomechanics: peak trunk range of motion

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are positioned on the torso and each thigh. IMU biomechanics will be processed to determine the peak trunk range of motion. This measure will be calculated in all planes of motion. Peak angles and velocity will quantify biomechanics change over time for selected biomechanical assessment tasks (performed in Slack suit only).

  2. Change in Trunk Biomechanics: peak trunk velocity

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are positioned on the torso and each thigh. IMU biomechanics will be processed to determine the peak trunk velocity. This measure will be calculated in all planes of motion. Peak angles and velocity will quantify biomechanics change over time for selected biomechanical assessment tasks (performed in Slack suit only).

  3. Change in Trunk Biomechanics: trunk coordination

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are positioned on the torso and each thigh. IMU biomechanics will be processed to determine the trunk coordination (phase-portrait smoothness and consistency). This measure will be calculated in all planes of motion. Peak angles and velocity will quantify biomechanics change over time for selected biomechanical assessment tasks (performed in Slack suit only).

  4. Change in Physical Function: walking speed with 10 meter walk test

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    Maximum walking speed will be used to understand how a participant's physical function changes over time.

  5. Change in Physical Function: 5x sit to stand

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    Time to complete a five-times sit-to-stand will be used to understand how a participant's physical function changes over time.

  6. Change in Physical Function: Functional reach

    Time frame: Measured periodically (at visits 1, 3, 6, 9, 12) between baseline (time 0) and 6-8 weeks of treatment.

    Maximum functional reach distance will be used to understand how a participant's physical function changes over time.

  7. Change in patient-reported pain symptoms: BACPAC minimum pain inventory

    Time frame: Baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment) and post-discharge follow-up (up to 13 months from time 0)

    Participants' level of perceived pain will be measured by the BACPAC minimum pain inventory.

  8. Change in Patient-reported physical function: Patient specific functional scale (PSFS)

    Time frame: Baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment) and post-discharge follow-up (up to 13 months from time 0)

    Physical function will be measured by the patient-reported PSFS scale.

  9. Change in patient-reported pain catastrophizing: Pain catastrophizing scale (PCS-6)

    Time frame: Baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment) and post-discharge follow-up (up to 13 months from time 0)

    Patient-reported pain catastrophizing will be measured by the PCS-6 scale.

  10. Change in Patient-reported anxiety symptoms: Generalized anxiety disorder 2-item scale (GAD-2)

    Time frame: Baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment) and post-discharge follow-up (up to 13 months from time 0)

    Anxiety symptoms will be measured by the GAD-2 questionnaire.

  11. Change in patient reported substance use: Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription medication and other substance use Screening tool (TAPS-1 tool)

    Time frame: Baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment) and post-discharge follow-up (up to 13 months from time 0)

    Patient-reported substance use including tobacco and alcohol use will be measured by the TAPS-1 tool.

  12. Change in patient-reported pain interference: Patient-reported outcomes measurement information system - pain interference (PROMIS - pain interference)

    Time frame: Baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment) and post-discharge follow-up (up to 13 months from time 0)

    Pain interference will be measured by the PROMIS - pain interference scale

  13. Change in patient reported physical function: PROMIS - physical function

    Time frame: Baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment) and post-discharge follow-up (up to 13 months from time 0)

    Physical function will be measured by the PROMIS-physical function scale

  14. Change in patient-reported sleep quality: PROMIS- sleep disturbance

    Time frame: Baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment) and post-discharge follow-up (up to 13 months from time 0)

    Participant reported sleep quality will be measured by the PROMIS-sleep disturbance scale.

  15. Change in patient depression scores: PROMIS - depression

    Time frame: Baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment) and post-discharge follow-up (up to 13 months from time 0)

    Participant level of depression symptoms will be measured by the PROMIS-depression scale

  16. Change in patient anxiety level: PROMIS - anxiety

    Time frame: Baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment) and post-discharge follow-up (up to 13 months from time 0)

    Participant level of anxiety will be measured by the PROMIS-anxiety scale

  17. Change in patient kinesiophobia: Optimal screening for prediction of referral and outcome cohort yellow flag assessment tool (OSPRO-YF assessment tool).

    Time frame: Baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment) and post-discharge follow-up (up to 13 months from time 0)

    Participant level of kinesiophobia will be measured by the OSPRO-YF tool.

  18. Change in reported pain: Pain, Enjoyment of life and General activity (PEG) Scale

    Time frame: Baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment) and post-discharge follow-up (up to 13 months from time 0)

    Participants level of pain will be measured by the pain, enjoyment of general activities scale (PEG).

  19. Change in reported disability: Pain, Enjoyment of life and general activity (PEG) Scale

    Time frame: Baseline (time 0), all follow-up visits (up to 8 weeks of treatment) and post-discharge follow-up (up to 13 months from time 0)

    Participants level of disability will be measured by the pain, enjoyment of general activities scale (PEG).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Boston University Charles River Campus

Other

Collaborators

  • Harvard University
  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

Registry information

Official study title

Translation of Robotic Apparel for Alleviating Low Back Pain: Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC)

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Feb 21, 2023
Registry last updated
Dec 8, 2025

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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