Trial Outcomes & Findings for High Intensity Training for Neurological Injury Using Overground Exoskeletons in Inpatient Rehabilitation (NCT NCT04973852)

NCT ID: NCT04973852

Last Updated: 2026-04-15

Results Overview

Heart rate will be monitored continuously and recorded every 5 minutes throughout the session (each session lasts about 60 minutes). Heart rate reserve (HRR) is maximum heart rate (HRmax) minus resting heart rate (HRrest). Target HR ranges will be calculated using age-predicted maximum heart rate (HRmax = 208 - {0.7 \* age\]) and Karvonen formula (target HRR (70%) = (\[0.7 \* (HRmax - HRrest)\] + HRrest) and (target HRR (80%) = (0.8 \* (HRmax - HRrest)\] + HRrest). The percentage of HRR achieved during the exoskeleton session is calculated as the percentage of HR readings during the session that are within the 70-80% target HR zone.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

11 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

During session 1 (about day 2)

Results posted on

2026-04-15

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Exoskeleton
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Overall Study
STARTED
11
Overall Study
COMPLETED
6
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
5

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

High Intensity Training for Neurological Injury Using Overground Exoskeletons in Inpatient Rehabilitation

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=6 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Age, Continuous
54.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 19.7 • n=193 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
1 Participants
n=193 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
5 Participants
n=193 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants
n=193 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
5 Participants
n=193 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
2 Participants
n=193 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
4 Participants
n=193 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
6 participants
n=193 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: During session 1 (about day 2)

Heart rate will be monitored continuously and recorded every 5 minutes throughout the session (each session lasts about 60 minutes). Heart rate reserve (HRR) is maximum heart rate (HRmax) minus resting heart rate (HRrest). Target HR ranges will be calculated using age-predicted maximum heart rate (HRmax = 208 - {0.7 \* age\]) and Karvonen formula (target HRR (70%) = (\[0.7 \* (HRmax - HRrest)\] + HRrest) and (target HRR (80%) = (0.8 \* (HRmax - HRrest)\] + HRrest). The percentage of HRR achieved during the exoskeleton session is calculated as the percentage of HR readings during the session that are within the 70-80% target HR zone.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=6 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Percentage of Heart Rate Readings Within the Target Zone Achieved During HIT Gait Training Session
72.67 Percentage of readings
Standard Deviation 11.43

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: During session 2 (about day 4)

Heart rate will be monitored continuously and recorded every 5 minutes throughout the session (each session lasts about 60 minutes). Heart rate reserve (HRR) is maximum heart rate (HRmax) minus resting heart rate (HRrest). Target HR ranges will be calculated using age-predicted maximum heart rate (HRmax = 208 - {0.7 \* age\]) and Karvonen formula (target HRR (70%) = (\[0.7 \* (HRmax - HRrest)\] + HRrest) and (target HRR (80%) = (0.8 \* (HRmax - HRrest)\] + HRrest). The percentage of HRR achieved during the exoskeleton session is calculated as the percentage of HR readings during the session that are within the 70-80% target HR zone.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=6 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Percentage of Heart Rate Readings Within the Target Zone Achieved During HIT Gait Training Session
75.67 Percentage of readings
Standard Deviation 12.8

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: During session 3 (about day 6)

Heart rate will be monitored continuously and recorded every 5 minutes throughout the session (each session lasts about 60 minutes). Heart rate reserve (HRR) is maximum heart rate (HRmax) minus resting heart rate (HRrest). Target HR ranges will be calculated using age-predicted maximum heart rate (HRmax = 208 - {0.7 \* age\]) and Karvonen formula (target HRR (70%) = (\[0.7 \* (HRmax - HRrest)\] + HRrest) and (target HRR (80%) = (0.8 \* (HRmax - HRrest)\] + HRrest). The percentage of HRR achieved during the exoskeleton session is calculated as the percentage of HR readings during the session that are within the 70-80% target HR zone.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=6 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Percentage of Heart Rate Readings Within the Target Zone Achieved During HIT Gait Training Session
74.33 Percentage of readings
Standard Deviation 11.36

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: During session 4 (about day 9)

Heart rate will be monitored continuously and recorded every 5 minutes throughout the session (each session lasts about 60 minutes). Heart rate reserve (HRR) is maximum heart rate (HRmax) minus resting heart rate (HRrest). Target HR ranges will be calculated using age-predicted maximum heart rate (HRmax = 208 - {0.7 \* age\]) and Karvonen formula (target HRR (70%) = (\[0.7 \* (HRmax - HRrest)\] + HRrest) and (target HRR (80%) = (0.8 \* (HRmax - HRrest)\] + HRrest). The percentage of HRR achieved during the exoskeleton session is calculated as the percentage of HR readings during the session that are within the 70-80% target HR zone.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=6 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Percentage of Heart Rate Readings Within the Target Zone Achieved During HIT Gait Training Session
78.4 Percentage of readings
Standard Deviation 5.68

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: During session 5 (about day 11)

Heart rate will be monitored continuously and recorded every 5 minutes throughout the session (each session lasts about 60 minutes). Heart rate reserve (HRR) is maximum heart rate (HRmax) minus resting heart rate (HRrest). Target HR ranges will be calculated using age-predicted maximum heart rate (HRmax = 208 - {0.7 \* age\]) and Karvonen formula (target HRR (70%) = (\[0.7 \* (HRmax - HRrest)\] + HRrest) and (target HRR (80%) = (0.8 \* (HRmax - HRrest)\] + HRrest). The percentage of HRR achieved during the exoskeleton session is calculated as the percentage of HR readings during the session that are within the 70-80% target HR zone.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=6 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Percentage of Heart Rate Readings Within the Target Zone Achieved During HIT Gait Training Session
80.75 Percentage of readings
Standard Deviation 13.55

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre Intervention (about 1 day prior to intervention) and 1 Day after session 5 (about day 12)

During the 10 Meter Walk Test, four marks will be placed on the ground at 0,2,12 and 14 meters. Subjects will walk a total of 14 meters, where the middle 10 meters (between marks 2 and 12 meters) will be timed and recorded as their gait speed. Subjects will complete two attempts at their self-selected pace. The two trials will be averaged and reported as self-selected speed. The change in self-selected speed will be reported as \[(average self-selected speed at 1 day after session 5 (about day 12)) - (average self-selected speed at pre intervention about 1 day prior to intervention)\]

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=6 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Change in Self Selected Gait Speed as Assessed by the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
0.09 meters per second
Standard Deviation 0.1

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre Intervention (about 1 day prior to intervention) and 1 Day after session 5 (about day 12)

Population: Data were collected and analyzed for all participants who completed the assessment.

During the 10 Meter Walk Test, four marks will be placed on the ground at 0,2,12 and 14 meters. Subjects will walk a total of 14 meters, where the middle 10 meters (between marks 2 and 12 meters) will be timed and recorded as their gait speed. Subjects will complete two attempts at their fastest pace. The two trials will be averaged and reported as fast gait speed. The change in fast gait speed will be reported as \[(average fast gait speed at 1 day after session 5 (about day 12)) - (average fast gait speed at pre intervention about 1 day prior to intervention)\]

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=4 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Change in Fast Gait Speed as Assessed by the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
0.18 meters per second
Standard Deviation 0.12

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre Intervention (about 1 day prior to intervention) and 1 Day after session 5 (about day 12)

Population: Data was collected and analyzed for all participants who completed the task.

The 6 Minute Walk Test will measure the distance subjects can walk over six minutes. Subjects will walk along a 100-foot hallway as many times as they can in 6 minutes. Subjects are allowed to rest as needed; however, the timer continues to run for 6 minutes consecutively, whether they are standing or walking. The change in walking endurance will be reported as \[(total distance walked in 6 minutes at 1 day after session 5 (about day 12)) - (total distance walked in 6 minutes at pre intervention about 1 day prior to intervention)\]

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=4 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Change in Walking Endurance as Assessed by the 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
81.66 Meters
Standard Deviation 102.76

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre Intervention (about 1 day prior to intervention) and 1 Day after session 5 (about day 12)

The Modified Functional Reach Test measures the maximum distance an individual can reach forward from a seated position. This will be reported as an average of three trials. Change in seated dynamic reach is reported as \[(average reach distance at 1 day after session 5 (about day 12)) - (average reach distance at pre intervention (about 1 day prior to intervention))\]

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=6 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Change in Seated Dynamic Reach as Assessed by the Modified Functional Reach Test
1.98 centimeters
Standard Deviation 3.4

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre Intervention (about 1 day prior to intervention) and 1 Day after session 5 (about day 12)

The GAITRite pressure map will be used during the 10MWT. This pressure map will digitally record the subject's footprints' placement and pressure as they walk over it during the 10MWT. This assessment will indicate several temporospatial gait parameters. The Change in average step length (measured in centimeters) will be reported as \[(average step length at 1 day after session 5 (about day 12)) - (average step length at pre intervention about 1 day prior to intervention)\]

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=6 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Change in Spatial-Temporal Gait Parameters as Assessed by the GAITRite Pressure Map (Step Length Parameter)
5.5 centimeters
Standard Deviation 4.8

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre Intervention (about 1 day prior to intervention) and 1 Day after session 5 (about day 12)

The GAITRite pressure map will be used during the 10MWT. This pressure map will digitally record the subject's footprints' placement and pressure as they walk over it during the 10MWT. This assessment will indicate several temporospatial gait parameters. The Change in average stride length (measured in centimeters) will be reported as \[(average stride length at 1 day after session 5 (about day 12)) - (average stride length at pre intervention about 1 day prior to intervention)\]

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=6 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Change in Spatial-Temporal Gait Parameters as Assessed by the GAITRite Pressure Map (Stride Length Parameter)
9.5 centimeters
Standard Deviation 14.34

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre Intervention (about 1 day prior to intervention) and 1 Day after session 5 (about day 12)

The GAITRite pressure map will be used during the 10MWT. This pressure map will digitally record the subject's footprints' placement and pressure as they walk over it during the 10MWT. This assessment will indicate several temporospatial gait parameters. The Change in average time spent in single limb support (measured in seconds) will be reported as \[(average time spent in single limb support at 1 day after session 5 (about day 12)) - (average time spent in single limb at pre intervention about 1 day prior to intervention)\] - negative value indicates a reduction in single limb support time post intervention.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=6 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Change in Spatial-Temporal Gait Parameters as Assessed by the GAITRite Pressure Map (Single Support Parameter)
-0.02 seconds
Standard Deviation 0.17

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre Intervention (about 1 day prior to intervention) and 1 Day after session 5 (about day 12)

The GAITRite pressure map will be used during the 10MWT. This pressure map will digitally record the subject's footprints' placement and pressure as they walk over it during the 10MWT. This assessment will indicate several temporospatial gait parameters. The Change in average time spent in double limb support (measured in seconds) will be reported as \[(average time spent in double limb support at 1 day after session 5 (about day 12)) - (average time spent in double limb at pre intervention about 1 day prior to intervention)\]

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=6 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Change in Spatial-Temporal Gait Parameters as Assessed by the GAITRite Pressure Map (Double Support Parameter)
0.15 seconds
Standard Deviation 0.42

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre Intervention (about 1 day prior to intervention) and 1 Day after session 5 (about day 12)

The GAITRite pressure map will be used during the 10MWT. This pressure map will digitally record the subject's footprints' placement and pressure as they walk over it during the 10MWT. This assessment will indicate several temporospatial gait parameters. The Change in average time spent in swing phase (measured in seconds) will be reported as \[(average time spent in swing phase at 1 day after session 5 (about day 12)) - (average time spent in swing phase at pre intervention about 1 day prior to intervention)\]

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=6 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Change in Spatial-Temporal Gait Parameters as Assessed by the GAITRite Pressure Map (Swing Time Parameter)
0.05 seconds
Standard Deviation 0.18

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre Intervention (about 1 day prior to intervention) and 1 Day after session 5 (about day 12)

The GAITRite pressure map will be used during the 10MWT. This pressure map will digitally record the subject's footprints' placement and pressure as they walk over it during the 10MWT. This assessment will indicate several temporospatial gait parameters. The Change in average time spent in stance phase (seconds) will be reported as \[(average time spent in stance phase at 1 day after session 5 (about day 12)) - (average time spent in stance phase at pre intervention about 1 day prior to intervention)\]

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=6 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Change in Spatial-Temporal Gait Parameters as Assessed by the GAITRite Pressure Map (Stance Time Parameter)
0.22 seconds
Standard Deviation 0.46

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre Intervention (about 1 day prior to intervention) and 1 Day after session 5 (about day 12)

The GAITRite pressure map will be used during the 10MWT. This pressure map will digitally record the subject's footprints' placement and pressure as they walk over it during the 10MWT. This assessment will indicate several temporospatial gait parameters. The Change in average heel to heel base of support (measured in centimeters) will be reported as \[(average heel to heel base of support at 1 day after session 5 (about day 12)) - (average heel to heel base of support at pre intervention about 1 day prior to intervention)\] - a negative values indicates reduction in base of support which indicates improvement in gait.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=6 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Change in Spatial-Temporal Gait Parameters as Assessed by the GAITRite Pressure Map (Heel to Heel Base of Support Time Parameter)
-1.83 centimeters
Standard Deviation 2.04

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre Intervention (about 1 day prior to intervention) and 1 Day after session 5 (about day 12)

Population: This outcome measure was pre-specified in the protocol; however, no data were collected due to technical malfunction of the K4b2 Cosmed machine. For the first participant, the device functioned for portions of the visits and was used for 6MWT; however, it malfunctioned at the time of attempted 10MWT measurement at both pre- and post-intervention time points, and no data were recorded. The device then failed completely, and no additional participants were assessed for this outcome measure.

Change in metabolic expenditure during 10MWT will be indicated by energy expenditure. Energy Expenditure will be measured by the K4 b2 Cosmed as follows: Oxygen cost will be calculated from oxygen consumption as the product of gait speed and body weight. Oxygen consumption will be collected on a breath-by-breath basis measured by a portable metabolic system (K4 b2 Cosmed). Prior to the testing, the system will be calibrated using room air and reference gas mixture. During the testing, the subject will wear a face mask and a heart rate monitor at all times and will be asked to breathe normally. The change in oxygen cost from baseline will be reported as VO2 peak during 10MWT.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre Intervention (about 1 day prior to intervention) and 1 Day after session 5 (about day 12)

Population: Data was not collected from 5 participants for this outcome measure because they did not complete the assessment due to the K4 b2 Cosmed machine not working.

Change in metabolic expenditure during 6MWT will be indicated by energy expenditure. Energy Expenditure will be measured by the K4 b2 Cosmed as follows: Oxygen cost will be calculated from oxygen consumption as the product of gait speed and body weight. Oxygen consumption will be collected on a breath-by-breath basis measured by a portable metabolic system (K4 b2 Cosmed). Prior to the testing, the system will be calibrated using room air and reference gas mixture. During the testing, the subject will wear a face mask and a heart rate monitor at all times and will be asked to breathe normally. The change in oxygen cost from baseline will be reported as VO2 peak during 6MWT.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Exoskeleton
n=1 Participants
5 sessions of overground ambulation with wearable exoskeleton where heart rate is monitored over each session. Ekso: Exoskeleton walking
Change in Metabolic Expenditure During 6MWT, as Assessed by Oxygen Consumption
0.44 mL/kg/min

Adverse Events

Exoskeleton

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Shuo-Hsiu Chang, PT, PhD

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Phone: 713-799-7016

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place