Wearable exosuit to help people with knee osteoarthritis move more

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study uses a wearable exoskeleton to support walking in adults with tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis. Participants will wear the device for about 30 minutes per session during a walking program, with rest as needed, to determine feasibility and potential benefits on mobility and symptoms. The trial is conducted at MIT Media Lab, led by MIT, with no listed collaborators. It aims to address low adherence to exercise by integrating a wearable assistive device into a structured activity plan. Outcomes focus on safety, tolerability, and preliminary signals of improved walking ability and pain reduction.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Any gender
* 21+ years of age
* Doctor-diagnosed tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis
* Self-report knee pain or stiffness on most days of the past month
* Self-report of difficulty walking due to at least one knee
* Self-report of restricted walking behavior (not engaging in 150 minutes of moderate walking a week) due to at least in part one knee
* Able to walk one block without the use of an assistive device (e.g. a cane or walker)
* Able to engage in a walking activity program with the wearable intervention for approximately 30 minutes using standing or sitting rests as needed

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unable to walk at least 10 minutes in the community due to an existing cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, or neurological condition
* Planning knee, hip, ankle or back surgery within the next 6-months
* Ankle or hip osteoarthritis
* Inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, scleroderma, Lymes Disease, Lupus)
* Bilateral total knee replacements
* Use of an assistive device (e.g., walker or cane) in home or in the community
* Self-reported fall within the past 6-months that resulted in limitations in daily activities
* Lower extremity/foot peripheral neuropathy or other sensory disorders
* Diagnosed with vestibular or other balance disorder that impact walking
* Open wounds or active skin irritation on the leg shank
* Open wounds or active ulcers of either feet
* Unstable cardiovascular disease
* Unstable respiratory disease
* History of past or current deep vein thrombosis
* Active back pain that limits walking
* Use of supplemental oxygen to walk

Where it's running

• MIT Media Lab
  Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Christopher Shallal, B.S.
• Email: cshallal@mit.edu
• Phone: 704-904-6112

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.