Access-H20: Sensor-driven Smart Faucet

NCT07062796 | Completed Phase 2

• 2 other identifiers: R44HD1080612R44HD108061-02
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The objective of the SBIR Phase II study is to evaluate the updated Access-H2O™ system, a sensor-driven smart faucet developed during the Phase I SBIR project, to enhance independent drinking and grooming among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in both clinical and home settings. SCI significantly impairs functional independence and the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), with greater loss of function associated with higher and more complete injuries. In particular, individuals with injuries above the C5-C7 level often experience substantial upper extremity impairment, limiting their ability to use their arms and hands for essential tasks such as eating, drinking, and grooming. Access to water is therefore critical for supporting independence and facilitating the successful completion of ADLs in this population. The commercialization of a smart faucet system capable of automatically delivering water at target temperature, flow rate, and nozzle settings tailored to specific ADLs has the potential to substantially improve independence and quality of life for individuals with SCI. The Access-H2O™ faucet was developed and tested during the SBIR Phase I project in 2024 and was subsequently upgraded and refined based on Phase I findings. Participants with SCI, along with control participants, were recruited to evaluate the feasibility and usability of the enhanced faucet system in both clinical and in-home settings. The updated system incorporates voice, motion, and remote-control interfaces to regulate water flow and temperature for ADLs, including drinking, grooming, and washing.

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injury Cervical

Keywords

activities of daily living

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Number of Participants with Water Output Mode Activation

  Each subject was measured to determine whether he or she can complete using the Access H2O faucet in clinic for drinking, grooming, and washing. Primary outcomes include "task completed", "task partially completed", and "not completed."

  2 days

• Number of Participants with Water Output Mode Activation

  Each subject was measured to determine whether he or she can complete using the Access H2O faucet in the subject's residential bathroom for drinking, grooming, and washing. Primary outcomes include "task completed", "task partially completed", and "not completed."

  14 days

Study Arms (1)

Faucet Water Output Activation

OTHER

Year 1 Study (in Clinic): Each subject was instructed to activate the water output modes for drinking and grooming using three different control methods of the faucet: placing their hand near the motion sensor (motion control), using a speech speaker (voice control), and using a remote sensor. For each activity of daily living (drinking and grooming), the physical therapist rated and recorded as "task completed", "partially completed", and "not completed." Year 2 study (at home): Each subject was instructed to activate the water output modes for drinking and grooming using three different control methods of the faucet: placing their hand near the motion sensor (motion control), using a speech speaker (voice control), and using a remote sensor. For each activity of daily living (drinking and grooming), the physical therapist rated and recorded as "task completed", "partially completed", and "not completed."

Device: Water Faucet

Interventions

Water Faucet DEVICE

Access H2OTM faucet is a smart, hand free faucet that is designed for ease water access for physical limitations

Faucet Water Output Activation

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 90 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Individuals with ages 18 to 90 years old are eligible for the study. Individuals should have been screened by a physical or occupational therapist to verify your spinal cord injury (SCI), they are able to follow instructions, they are able to move their eyes and head up, down, and right to activate sensors, and they are able to safely access a bathroom at home.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals have cognitive deficits, mental health, or medical conditions that would keep them from participating in this study.
• Year 2 study:
• (1) age 18 years or older with a confirmed diagnosis of SCI; (2) residence in a home environment that can support installation of the Access H2O™ smart faucet; (3) ability to provide informed consent or have a legal guardian provide consent on their behalf; (4) stable health status, as determined by clinical evaluation; (5) ability to move the head up, down, left, and right to activate sensors; (6) ability to safely access the sink area where the Access H2O™ faucet is installed; and (7) literacy and ability to follow instructions within the Access H2O™ mobile app.
• (1) severe cognitive impairment that prevents the participant from using the device as intended; (2) any medical condition that contraindicates the use of the Access H2O™ smart faucet; and (3) participation in another clinical trial that could interfere with the outcomes of this study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Old Dominion University: lead
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Monarch Physical Therapy Clinic

Norfolk, Virginia, 23508, United States

Location

Study Officials

• Anna Jeng, ScD

  Old Dominion University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: phase 2
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: DEVICE FEASIBILITY
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 3, 2025
• First Posted: July 14, 2025
• Study Start: June 3, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 13, 2026
• Study Completion: April 13, 2026
• Last Updated: June 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)