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Hip Exoskeleton Assistance for COPD Walking

This study is looking at how a wearable device called a Hip Exoskeleton can help people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) during walking. The goal is to see if this device can improve how your breathing and walking work together, and reduce shortness of breath. You might be able to join if you are 45 to 75 years old, have moderate to severe COPD, and a body mass index (BMI) less than 35 kg/m^2. The study will measure your breathing rate, how your breathing and walking are linked, and your feeling of breathlessness during a 30-minute treadmill walk. We don't know the current recruitment status of this study.

Study design
This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 10 participants. The study will evaluate the Hip Exoskeleton-Assisted Walking intervention.
What's involved
You would participate in a single-day experimental session at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. This involves wearing the Hip Exoskeleton and walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your respiratory rate, locomotor-respiratory coupling ratios, and dyspnea will be assessed continuously during the 30-minute treadmill walking bout within each single-day experimental session.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07703527

Modulating Locomotor-Respiratory Coupling Through Adaptive Exoskeleton Assistance in Patients With COPD

Not Yet Recruiting
NAAges 45–75InterventionalDevice feasibility
University of Nebraska
~10 participants
Updated 2026-07-14 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Hip Exoskeleton-Assisted Walking

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Respiratory Rate and Timing
Measured over Continuous assessment during the 30-minute treadmill walking bout within each single-day experimental session.
+6 more outcomes measured

Conditions

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Explore related trials

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Nebraska1

Who to contact

Farahnaz Fallahtafti
[email protected]
4025543075
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

COPD Diagnosis \& Severity: Documented FEV1/FVC ratio of \< 0.7 and a post-bronchodilator FEV1% predicted between 30% and 80% (classifying as moderate to severe COPD).
Age Requirement: Must be between 45 and 75 years old.
Body Mass Index (BMI): Must have a BMI of less than 35 kg/m\^2.
Medical Clearance \& Screening: Must undergo post-bronchodilator spirometry, successfully pass the screening protocol, and receive formal clearance for participation from a physician.

Exclusion

Failing to pass the initial spirometry test.
Not being formally cleared for participation by a physician.
Having a diagnosed pulmonary or cardiac issue that would pose a safety hazard during the laboratory treadmill exercise trials.

What this trial measures

  • Respiratory Rate and TimingContinuous assessment during the 30-minute treadmill walking bout within each single-day experimental session.

    Measured continuously in real-time using Respiratory Inductance Plethysmography bands worn around the chest and abdomen.

  • Locomotor-Respiratory Coupling (LRC) RatiosContinuous assessment during the 30-minute treadmill walking bout within each single-day experimental session.

    Quantifies the frequency coupling and synchronization between breathing cycles (via RIP bands) and walking cycles (via an SMTEC footswitch system to detect heel strikes).

  • Dyspnea (Perceived Breathlessness)Assessed at the end of each treadmill walking bout during the 30-minute exercise session.

    Evaluated at the end of each exercise bout using the Modified Borg Scale, ranging from 0 (no breathlessness) to 10 (maximum breathlessness)

  • Dynamic HyperinflationMeasured via spirometry at baseline (pre-exercise) and immediately following the treadmill walking session.

    Evaluated by monitoring the reduction in Inspiratory Capacity (the maximum volume of air inhaled after a regular, calm exhalation) via baseline and post-exercise spirometry.

  • Walking KinematicsContinuously recorded during the active 30-minute treadmill walking period in each session.

    Captured at 100 Hz using a 17-camera high-speed digital motion capture system with reflective anatomical markers placed on the lower limbs.

  • Total Walking TimeRecorded as the exact cumulative duration of all active walking bouts during the 30-minute session.

    Measured precisely using digital stopwatches to record the exact duration of walking bouts during the 30-minute session.

  • Metabolic Cost / Metabolic Equivalents of Task (METs)Continuous assessment during the 30-minute treadmill walking bout within each single-day experimental session.

    Determined by measuring net O2 consumption and CO2 production using indirect calorimetry.