NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Wearable exoskeleton that provides on-demand leg stretching for people with spasticity

Official title: Leg Stretching Using a Controllable Wearable Exoskeleton on Demand for People with Spasticity

Funded at Syracuse VA Medical Center · NIH-11472332 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project offers a wearable robotic device that provides on-demand leg stretching to help people with spasticity from spinal cord injury or brain injury reduce spasms and improve movement.

More Spasticity research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSyracuse VA Medical Center
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Syracuse, United States)
Project startJanuary 1, 2024
Project endDecember 31, 2026
Funding year2026
NIH project number5I21RX004652-03
Project IDNIH-11472332 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults with lower-limb spasticity due to upper motor neuron injuries (for example spinal cord injury, stroke, or brain trauma) who can consent and are able to attend clinic visits would be ideal candidates.

Less likely to help

People with fixed joint contractures, severe skin breakdown at the device site, or medical contraindications to using an external limb device may not benefit from this intervention.

What this research studies

You would use a lightweight, controllable wearable exoskeleton that gently stretches your leg on demand, rather than relying only on manual stretching by caregivers. The device is designed to deliver regular, repeatable stretches to reduce muscle stiffness, improve joint range of motion, and lower pain and pressure injury risk. Researchers will test the device with people who have upper motor neuron spasticity to see how well it works in real-world care and whether it eases the burden on caregivers. The team will monitor safety, comfort, and changes in spasm frequency, range of motion, and daily function.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the device could reduce spasms and stiffness, improve mobility and comfort, and lessen caregiver burden.

How similar studies have gone: Early robotic stretching and wearable-exoskeleton studies have shown promise for reducing spasticity and improving range of motion, but on-demand wearable leg-stretchers remain relatively new and need further testing.

Where this research is happening

  • Syracuse VA Medical Center
    Syracuse, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Brose, Steven W. — Syracuse VA Medical Center
  • Study coordinator: Brose, Steven W.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.