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Real-time Neuromuscular Control of Exoskeletons
NCT04661891 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
The purpose of this study is to develop a real-time controller for exoskeletons using neural information embedded in human musculature. This controller will consist of an online interface that anticipates human movement based on high-density electromyography (HD-EMG) recordings, and then translates it into functional assistance. This study will be carried out in both healthy participants and participants post-stroke. The researchers will develop an online algorithm (decoder) in currently existing exoskeletons that can extract hundreds of motor unit (MU) spiking activity out of HD-EMG recordings. The MU spiking activity is a train of action potentials coded by its timing of occurrence that gives access to a representative part of the neural code of human movement. The researchers will also develop a command encoder that can anticipate human intent (multi-joint position and force commands) from MU spiking activity to translate the neural information to movement. The researchers will integrate the decoder with the command encoder to showcase the real-time control of multiple joint lower-limb exoskeletons.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- OTHER Isometric contractions
- OTHER Isokinetic contractions
- DEVICE Dynamic contractions
- DEVICE Isometric contraction with muscle fatigue
- DEVICE Multi-joint functional activities while wearing exoskeleton
Study Locations (1)
Illinois
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab — Chicago
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 80 participants |
| Start Date | 2021-05-05 |
| Est. Completion | 2025-12 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT04661891
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT04661891 describes a study currently listed as active not recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 80 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, which has 274 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Stroke appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 5 interventions — of which Isometric contractions is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT04661891 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Illinois. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT04661891 about?
NCT04661891 is a clinical study titled "Real-time Neuromuscular Control of Exoskeletons". The purpose of this study is to develop a real-time controller for exoskeletons using neural information embedded in human musculature. This controller will consist of an online interface that anticipates human movement based on high-density electromyography (HD-EMG) recordings, and then translates ...
What is the current status of trial NCT04661891?
This trial is currently active not recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 80 participants. The study started on 2021-05-05. Estimated completion is 2025-12.
What conditions does trial NCT04661891 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Stroke. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT04661891?
The interventions under investigation include: Isometric contractions (OTHER), Isokinetic contractions (OTHER), Dynamic contractions (DEVICE), Isometric contraction with muscle fatigue (DEVICE), Multi-joint functional activities while wearing exoskeleton (DEVICE). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT04661891?
This trial is sponsored by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, which has 274 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT04661891 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Illinois. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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