Exploratory Pilot Study on the Prolonged Use of the ABLE Exoskeleton in Multiple Sclerosis

NCT06921551 | Active Not Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: ABLEexoMSpostCIV-24-10-049336
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 19
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to explore the potential clinical benefits of the ABLE Exoskeleton as part of a rehabilitation program in people with multiple sclerosis. The main question it aims to answer is: Can a rehabiliation program with the ABLE Exoskeleton help to mantain the physical and psychosocial health of people with multiple sclerosis? Participants will:

• Have a gait training session of 60 min with the exoskeleton once a week for 12 months at the clinic
• Have an evaluation (tests and questionnaires) every 3 months at the clinic

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Keywords

Gait training; Wearable exoskeleton; Multiple Sclerosis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (15)

• Number of therapeutic objectives achieved

  Two therapeutic objectives per participant will be defined at baseline. At the end of the training program, it will be assessed if the objectives were accomplished or not.

  From baseline to the end of the training program at 12 months

• Lower extremity muscle strenght

  The Daniels Muscle Testing scale will be used to measure the strength of muscles in the lower extremities at baseline, every 3 months and at the end of the gait training program to assess motor function after the training. Scores range from 0 (absence of muscle activity) to 5 (normal muscle activity)

  Baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months post-training

• Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)

  The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) measures spasticity in patients with lesions to the central nervous system. The scale assigns a grade of spasticity from 0 (no increase in muscle tone) to 4 (affected part rigid in flexion or extension). It will be evaluated at baseline, every 3 months and at the end of the gait training program without the device to assess the change in the spasticity after training

  Baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months post-training

• Location and level of pain

  The location and level of pain using the numeric rating scale (NRS) will be assessed at baseline, every 3 months and at the end of the gait training program to assess the reduction of pain aftr the training

  Baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months post-training

• Timed 25-Feet Walk test (T25FW)

  The Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW) test measures the time a person needs to walk 25 feet. This test will be assessed at baseline, every 3 months, and at the end of the gait training program without the device to assess the change in the walking function after the training

  Baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months post-training

• 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

  The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) measures the distance a person can walk in 6 minutes. This test will be assessed at baseline, every 3 months, and at the end of the gait training program without the device to assess the change in the walking function after the training

  Baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months post-training

• Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion

  The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale is used to measure a person's perception of their effort and exertion, breathlessness, and fatigue during physical activity. Scores range from 6 (no exertion at all) to 20 (maximal exertion). It will be evaluated during the 6MWT at baseline, every 3 months, and after the end of the gait training program without the device to assess the change in the perceived exertion after the training

  Baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months post-training

• Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS)

  The Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) measures the motor impairment of the trunk through the evaluation of static and dynamic sitting balance as well as coordination of trunk movement. The total score ranges from 0 (minimal performance) to 23 (perfect performance). This test will be assessed at baseline, every 3 months, and at the end of the gait training program without the device to assess the change in the trunk impairment after training

  Baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months post-training

• Barthel Index (BI) score

  The Barthel Index (BI) will be used to assess the participants' ability to perform mobility and self-care activities of daily living (ADL). The total score ranges from 0 (total dependency) to 100 (independency). It will be evaluated at baseline, every 3 months, and after the gait training program without the device to assess the change in the independence to perform ADL after the training

  Baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months post-training

• Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) score

  The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) provides an assessment of the effects of fatigue in terms of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning in persons with multiple sclerosis. The total score ranges from 0 to 84, with higher scores meaning a higher impact of fatigue. It will be evaluated iat baseline, every 3 months and at the end of the gait training program without the device to assess the change in the fatigue after the training

  Baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months post-training

• Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQoL-54) scores

  The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQoL-54) is a multidimensional health-related quality of life (QoL) measure that combines both generic and MS-specific items into a single instrument. There is no single overall score for the MSQoL-54. Two summary scores - physical health and mental health - can be derived from a weighted combination of scale scores. The higher the score, the best the outcome. It will be evaluated at baseline, every 3 months and at the end of the gait training program without the device to assess the change in the QoL after the training

  Baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months post-training

• Self-perceived impact on general health status

  Participants' perceptions of the impact on their general health will be evaluated by the completion of a self-report questionnaire on the perceived impact on general health. This questionnaire has been designed by the researchers and intends to identify to what extent participants feel that the ABLE Exoskeleton contributed to a change in their health. The questionnaire covers 7 categories (cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic pain, bladder and bowel, spasticity, and sleep quality) using a 7-point Likert scale to assess the change.

  3, 6, and 12 months post-training

• Level of motivation

  Participants' perceptions on the level of motivation generated by the program with the ABLE Exoskeleton will be evaluated by the completion of a self-report questionnaire using a 7-point Likert scale. This questionnaire has been designed by the researchers.

  After 12 months post-training

• Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS) score

  The Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS) is a 26-item, self-reported questionnaire that provides a measure of user perception and other psychological factors associated with assistive technology devices. Scores range from -78 (maximum negative impact) to +78 (maximum positive impact). It will be used to assess the effects of the ABLE Exoskeleton on functional independence, well-being, and quality of life of participants after the training program experience

  After 12 months post-training

• Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0) score

  The Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0) is a 12-item outcome measure that assesses user satisfaction with two components (Device and Services) using a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (not satisfied) to 5 (very satisfied). Only the 8 items referred to the device will be evaluated from participants and the whole 12 items from the therapists to measure user satisfaction with the ABLE Exoskeleton after the training program experience

  After 12 months post-training

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Time spent upright and time spent walking

  At session 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10

• Number of steps walked

  At session 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10

• Distance walked

  At session 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10

Study Arms (1)

Intervention with exoskeleton

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will undergo 60-min gait training sessions with the exoskeleton as part of their rehabilitation program once a week for up to 12 months

Device: ABLE Exoskeleton

Interventions

ABLE Exoskeleton DEVICE

Participants will undergo 60-min gait training sessions with the exoskeleton once a week for up to12 months

Intervention with exoskeleton

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• to 70 years old
• Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
• Currently undergoing outpatient physical therapy treatment at the investigation site
• Ability to give informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Significant osteoporosis that may increase the risk of fracture
• Unresolved fractures in the pelvis or extremities, or history of fragility fractures in the lower extremities in the last 2 years
• Spinal instability (or spinal orthoses, unless authorized by a physician)
• Severe spasticity: Level 4 on the Modified Ashworth Scale
• Orthostatic hypotension. Inability to tolerate a minimum of 30 minutes standing
• Uncontrolled autonomic dysreflexia
• Medical instability
• Unstable cardiovascular system (CVS), hemodynamic instability, untreated hypertension (SBP\>140, DBP\>90 mmHg), unresolved deep venous thrombosis (DVT)
• Serious comorbidities, including any condition that a physician deems inappropriate for use of the ABLE Exoskeleton or to complete participation in the study
• Skin integrity problems on the contact surfaces of the device or that would prevent sitting
• Grade I or higher on EPUAP (European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, 2019) on areas that will be in contact with the exoskeleton
• Colostomy
• Anthropometric measurements outside the values compatible with ABLE Exoskeleton. In particular, height not between 1.5-1.9 m, or weight over 100 kg
• Anatomical constraints (such as eg length differences, users unable to position themselves inside the device) that are incompatible with the device
• Restrictions in range of motion that prevent normal gait from being achieved or preventing the completion of a normal transition from sitting to standing or standing to sitting

Sponsors & Collaborators

• ABLE Human Motion S.L.: lead
• Fundación Esclerosis Múltiple Madrid (FEMM): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Fundación Esclerosis Múltiple Madrid (FEMM)

Madrid, Madrid, 28029, Spain

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Nervous System Diseases; Demyelinating Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: INDUSTRY
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 27, 2025
• First Posted: April 10, 2025
• Study Start: April 7, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 7, 2026
• Study Completion: May 7, 2026
• Last Updated: January 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

ES (1)