NCT07359573

The Effect of a Passive Hip Exoskeleton on Daily-life Fatigue in Older Adults

Evaluating and Monitoring Physical Fatigue While Performing Functional Activities

• Status: Enrolling By Invitation
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 15 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Vrije Universiteit Brussel · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This crossover study investigates whether a passive lower-limb exoskeleton (Exoband) can reduce perceived exertion during everyday mobility tasks in older adults. Participants complete the fatigue protocol- a structured sequence of daily challenging tasks (e.g., overground walking, stair and slope walking, obstacle avoidance)-once with the Exoband and once without it, in randomized order and separated by a one-week washout period. During each session, distance covered until fatigue, rate of perceived exertion, physiological and gait parameters are recorded. The aim is to determine whether exoskeleton assistance enhances mobility performance and reduces functional fatigue across older adults.

Conditions

• Fatigue
• Older Adults (65 Years and Older)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Performance test	The participant will be asked to execute a protocol in the movement lab that induces progressive feelings of fatigue. This protocol includes a sequence of relevant functional activities, such as stair walking, slope walking, crouching, walking different path shapes. During this execution the Ratings of Perceived Exertion will be questioned, and simultaneously physiological and movement data will be collected.
DEVICE	Exoband	The participant will wear the Exoband (Moveo), which is a lightweight, soft wearable exoskeleton designed to assist walking by providing elastic support to the hip during gait. It uses passive elastic elements to store and release energy in sync with the user's movement, reducing muscular effort without motors or batteries. The system is unobtrusive and aims to support mobility while preserving natural movement patterns.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-11
• Primary completion: 2026-06-01
• Completion: 2026-06-01
• First posted: 2026-01-22
• Last updated: 2026-01-22

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Belgium