Using exoskeletons to help reduce low back pain
Official title: SCH: Spine-Hip Exoskeletons with Learning-Based Optimal Control for Low Back Pain Alleviation
Funded at North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-10911374 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a special soft exoskeleton that helps people who lift heavy things at work by easing their lower back pain and making it safer for them to move.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $268,224 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB035404-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10911374 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include workers who frequently perform lifting tasks and experience low back pain or are at risk of developing such injuries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not engage in lifting tasks or have pre-existing conditions unrelated to low back pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a spine-hip exoskeleton designed to alleviate low back pain, particularly for workers engaged in lifting tasks. The project aims to create a soft exoskeleton that adapts to human movements and reduces stress on the spine by utilizing advanced robotics and biomechanics. Researchers will employ a multidisciplinary approach, combining expertise in robotics, computational biomechanics, and learning-based control to optimize the exoskeleton's performance. By understanding how the human spine interacts with the exoskeleton, the team hopes to create a device that effectively mitigates injuries and enhances worker safety.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of low back injuries among workers, improving their quality of life and productivity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using exoskeletons for injury prevention, indicating that this approach could lead to meaningful advancements in occupational health.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Raleigh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Su, Hao — North Carolina State University Raleigh
- Study coordinator: Su, Hao
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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.