Zapping the spine while wearing a robotic ankle: a new way to help kids walk?

NCT ID NCT05520359

Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Washington Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Sep 18, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026

Summary

Researchers at the University of Washington are testing whether combining non-invasive spinal stimulation with an ankle exoskeleton can improve walking in people with neurologic conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, and premature birth. The study includes up to 10 participants aged 4 to 70 who can follow simple instructions. During walking sessions, a device stimulates the spine at the neck or lower back while the exoskeleton supports the ankle. The team measures muscle coordination and stiffness to see if the combination changes gait.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: non-invasive spinal stimulation combined with an ankle exoskeleton
What this could lead to: If it helps, this approach could offer a non-surgical way to improve walking and reduce muscle stiffness for people with cerebral palsy and other neurologic conditions.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early study with 10 participants, so any changes seen during lab walking may not translate into lasting real-world mobility gains. The stimulation and exoskeleton could also cause discomfort or skin irritation.

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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

10 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Aug 2022

Finished

May 2023

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

4 to 70 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: * have a neurologic condition * are 4-70 years of age * have stable medical condition * can perform simple cued motor tasks and who can follow 2-3 step commands * who are volunteering to be involved in this study * can provide feedback on comfort and experience during lab visits Exclusion Criteria: * have significant medical disease; including uncontrolled systemic hypertension with values above 170/100 mmHg; cardiac or pulmonary disease; uncorrected coagulation abnormalities or need for therapeutic anticoagulation. * have cardiovascular or musculoskeletal disease or injury that would prevent full participation in physical therapy intervention * have a history of uncontrolled seizures * have unhealed fracture or other musculoskeletal impairment that might interfere with lower extremity rehabilitation or testing activities * are dependent on ventilation support * have implanted stimulator (e.g. epidural stimulator, vagus nerve stimulator, pacemaker, cochlear implant, etc) or drug delivery device (e.g. baclofen pump) * have history of orthopedic surgery in lower extremities or neurosurgery that may be a confounding factor for interpretation of the results (such as tendon transfer, tendon or muscle lengthening for spasticity management, injection therapies to lower extremity muscles, etc.) in last 12 months * have established osteoporosis and taking medication for osteoporosis treatment. * have rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc.) * have active cancer

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

brain hypoxia - ischemia cerebral palsy perinatal asphyxia periventricular leukomalacia Premature Birth stroke disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Cerebral palsy Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy Periventricular leukomalacia Premature birth Stroke

Zapping the spine while wearing a robotic ankle: a new way to help kids walk?

What the study statuses mean