Back-Support Exoskeletons to Reduce Low Back Pain in Commercial Fishermen
Official title: From Laboratory to Deck: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Back-Support Exoskeletons to Reduce Musculoskeletal Injury Risk in Commercial Fishing
Funded at Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr · NIH-11480361 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A real-world trial will test whether wearable back-support exoskeletons can lower back pain and fatigue for commercial fishers on their boats.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $731,250 |
| NIH project number | 1U01OH013094-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11480361 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are commercial fishermen engaged in trap-based fisheries (e.g., Dungeness crab or lobster) with a history of work-related back pain or fatigue.
✕Less likely to help
Some fishers may not experience pain relief or may find the exoskeleton uncomfortable or impractical in rough sea conditions.
What this research studies
This study places wearable back-support exoskeletons with commercial fishermen to see if lumbar loading and pain episodes decrease during typical fishing tasks. Fishermen will perform their normal duties while wearing the exoskeletons, and researchers will monitor pain levels, sleep quality, and work ability over time. The trial is conducted in real fishing environments to capture practical effects and safety in everyday use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could reduce back pain and fatigue, improving safety and job performance for fishers.
How similar studies have gone: Prior ergonomic devices have shown mixed results; this study adds real-world testing in the fishing industry to build clearer evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Jeong Ho — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Kim, Jeong Ho
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.