A motorized hip brace may help MS patients walk better — small study puts it to the test

NCT ID NCT07724093

What the study statuses mean

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting This study
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jul 23, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a powered hip-flexion device called Hypershell X can immediately improve walking in people with multiple sclerosis who have hip weakness. Ten participants will walk short distances with the device set to different levels of assistance. Researchers will measure speed, step length, foot clearance, and user satisfaction to see if the device offers any benefit.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
a powered hip flexion orthosis (Hypershell X) that assists leg movement during walking
What this could lead to
If it works, this device could offer a non-drug way to improve walking ability for people with MS-related hip weakness.
What could go wrong
This is a very small case series (10 people) testing only immediate effects over short distances. The device is not FDA-regulated, and benefits may not last or apply to all MS patients.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 10 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Jul 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

May 2028

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 80 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-80 * Diagnosis of relapsing remitting, primary progressive or secondary progressive MS * Unilateral or bilateral hip flexion weakness (Manual muscle testing score of 3 or less) * Ability to walk at least 30 meters without requiring rest and without physical support or assistance from another person. * Waist circumference 26-48", Height 5 '- 6'2", Weight 100-230lbs Exclusion Criteria: * Prior regular use of a hip flexion orthosis within the past 6 months. * Cognitive or communication deficits that would limit ability to participate safely. * Significant pain or deformity of the lower extremities that could impact walking ability. * Severe spasticity (Modified Ashworth Score of 3 or 4) of the hips or lower extremities that could impact walking ability. * Any other neurological conditions that may affect gait.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

How to take part

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  1. The places running it

    1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.

  2. The official record

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  3. A doctor treating you

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Dayton

    Dayton, Ohio, 45469, United States

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