Intelligent and Adaptive Control Applied to Powered Walkers

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The research is towards an advanced control and computer learning strategy that will intelligently drive a powered walker for people with walking disabilities. The aim of the control strategy is to provide powered assistance that optimally reduces the metabolic cost of walking. The goal of the proposed intelligent walker is to reduce the workload of walking, keeping this population walking longer, providing critical exercise, continued muscle development and improved quality of life.

Official Title
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Intelligent and Adaptive Control Applied to Powered Walkers

Conditions
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Cerebral Palsy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: SurePace Powered Walker User


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Typically developed subjects: • No walking disabilities Subjects with CP: Diagnosed with spastic CP GMFCS level II-III Ages 5-25 inclusive No surgeries in last 6 months Able to ambulate 40ft unaided (excluding walker) Understand and follow commands Exclusion Criteria: Typically developed subjects: • Observed intramuscular pathology Subjects with CP: Mental retardation Severe uncontrolled seizures Leg or foot surgery in last 12 months Surgery or significant injury in last 6 months affecting walking ability Inability to ambulate unassisted (other than walker) 40ft without stopping to rest Inability to understand or follow commands

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 6 Years
Maximum Age: 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: SurePace Powered Walker User<br>Before any formal experiments are conducted, participants will be given an opportunity to train with the new powered walker for a pre-defined period of time to eliminate the confounding effects of being unfamiliar with using the device. (See the description of UVA's facilities and Protection of Human Subjects document for additional discussion of safety measures/protocols and Institutional Review Board procedures.) Experiments will consist of one-hour sessions (with adequate rest periods between trials and time for evaluations) in which participants will be asked to walk at a self-selected (comfortable) walking speed through a pre-defined 8 m x 4 m oval course. | Device: SurePace Powered Walker User<br>* Participants will be asked to perform one baseline 5-minute trial with the lab's instrumented walker in passive mode (no powered locomotion) and two 5-minute trials with the walker in active mode (powered locomotion).<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Metabolic Cost (oxygen consumption) | Oxygen consumption data will be collected with a Oxycon Mobile (VIASYS Healthcare Inc.) portable indirect calorimetry system. | Five minutes |