SHAPE: a shoulder-and-hand wearable to help people with long-term arm weakness after stroke
Official title: Development and initial testing of a shoulder-hand active-passive exoskeleton (SHAPE) to assist individuals with chronic upper-extremity impairments after stroke.
Funded at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center · NIH-11415407 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is building and trying out a wearable device that supports the shoulder and powers the hand to help people with chronic arm weakness after stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jesse Brown VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5IK1RX004286-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415407 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic upper-extremity weakness or impaired shoulder/hand function after stroke who can attend clinic visits are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with only mild arm weakness, severe fixed joint contractures or unstable medical issues, or conditions not caused by stroke may not benefit from this device.
What this research studies
You would be fitted with a wearable device that uses a passive support at the shoulder and powered assistance for the hand to help lift and move your arm. The device uses smart control based on machine learning to detect intended movements and provide intuitive support. The team will build prototypes, check how they fit and move, and run early tests with people who have long-term arm problems after stroke. Tests and training sessions will take place at the VA hospital and partner rehab centers in the Chicago area.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could make it easier to lift and use your arm and improve independence with daily activities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pilot work on shoulder-support and hand-assist devices has shown promise in small groups, but combining a passive shoulder with an active hand using machine learning control is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kopke, Joseph Victor — Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kopke, Joseph Victor
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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.