Hip-assist exoskeleton torque and how it affects walking.

Effects of Assistive Hip Exoskeleton Torque on Spatiotemporal, Kinematic, Electromyographic, and Plantar Pressure Parameters During Walking in Healthy Adults

We will test if different torque settings from a hip-assist exoskeleton change walking patterns in healthy adults.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 15 (estimated)
• Ages: 19 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Yonsei University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Seoul)
• Trial ID: NCT07450989 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Healthy adult volunteers will walk while wearing the ANGEL SUIT H10 hip-assist exoskeleton under different assistive torque settings. Investigators will record spatiotemporal gait parameters, joint kinematics, muscle activity (EMG), and foot pressure during walking trials. Participants must be at least 19 years old, weigh between 50–100 kg, have no history of hip surgery, and be able to wear and walk in the device. The sessions will take place at Severance Hospital and involve repeated walking trials with instrumented measurement systems to compare the effects of torque conditions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal participants are healthy adults aged 19 or older who weigh 50–100 kg, have no hip surgery history, and can independently wear and walk in the hip-assist exoskeleton.

Not a fit: People with prior hip surgery, skin or musculoskeletal issues that prevent wearing the device, inability to walk while wearing the exoskeleton, or other medical contraindications are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help optimize exoskeleton torque settings to improve walking assistance and comfort for people who need gait support.

How similar studies have performed: Previous exoskeleton research has shown benefits for gait mechanics and metabolic cost in both healthy volunteers and patient groups, but torque-specific tuning at the hip remains an active area of research.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Healthy adults aged 19 years or older without gait impairment.
2. Body weight between 50kg and 100kg.
3. No history of hip surgery.
4. Capable of wearing a hip-assist exoskeleton.
5. Voluntarily signed the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Skin or musculoskeletal issues that prevent wearing the exoskeleton.
2. Inability to walk independently while wearing the exoskeleton.
3. Other conditions deemed inappropriate by the investigator.

Where this trial is running

Seoul

• Severance Hospital — Seoul, South Korea (RECRUITING)

Conditions: Healthy Volunteers, Robotic Exoskeleton, Wearable Devices, Assistive Devices, Biomechanics