NCT07491562

Brief Summary

The investigators will evaluate a new powered neck exoskeleton in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to understand whether this device allows adequate head range of motion and achieves satisfaction from users. In this small cross-sectional device feasibility study, participants will be enrolled from the ALS clinic at the University of Utah Hospital. After obtaining written consent, participants will perform tasks using the neck exoskeleton. Tasks include computerized tracking tasks and simulated activities of daily living. Breaks will be added between tasks to avoid fatigue. Head-neck kinematics will be recorded, and range of motion will be computed. Participants will also report their satisfaction of the device.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
10

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
2mo left

Started Sep 2024

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress92%
Sep 2024Jul 2026

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 6, 2024

Completed
1.5 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

March 5, 2026

Completed
19 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

March 24, 2026

Completed
4 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

July 15, 2026

Expected
5 days until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

July 20, 2026

Last Updated

March 24, 2026

Status Verified

March 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

1.9 years

First QC Date

March 5, 2026

Last Update Submit

March 19, 2026

Conditions

Keywords

head dropALS

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • range of motion

    head range of motion (relative to torso) in three anatomical planes

    during the intervention (using the exoskeleton to complete tasks) approximately 1 hour

Study Arms (1)

powered neck exoskeleton

EXPERIMENTAL
Device: powered neck exoskeleton

Interventions

Subjects will use the powered neck exoskeleton to control their head-neck motion to complete tasks involving head-neck motions. The neck exoskeleton will be worn and controlled by the users to assist them during tasks.

powered neck exoskeleton

Eligibility Criteria

Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • ALS diagnosis and neck weakness

You may not qualify if:

  • Any cognitive deficits or visual impairments that would prevent from safely using the device and completing the tasks.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Spinal Cord DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesMotor Neuron DiseaseNeurodegenerative DiseasesTDP-43 ProteinopathiesNeuromuscular DiseasesProteostasis DeficienciesMetabolic DiseasesNutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Haohan Zhang, PhD

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
NA
Masking
NONE
Purpose
OTHER
Intervention Model
SINGLE GROUP
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

March 5, 2026

First Posted

March 24, 2026

Study Start

September 6, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

July 20, 2026

Last Updated

March 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Locations