Exoskeleton Devices for Muscle Fatigue Reduction

Overseen By Edith Martin, Ph.D

Age: 18+

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: TOPMED

Must not be taking: Balance-impacting medications

Disqualifiers: Back pain, Musculoskeletal injury, Scoliosis, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

20 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests special suits called exoskeletons, which might reduce muscle tiredness and back strain during lifting tasks. Researchers aim to determine if these devices make lifting easier and more comfortable by evaluating three different designs, including the Laevo Flex exoskeleton and the Uplift Lite exoskeleton. Participants will try each exoskeleton and perform a lifting task for about three hours in separate sessions. Suitable candidates are those without back pain or musculoskeletal injuries in the past year and who can perform a steady lifting task.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance workplace safety and comfort.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you are on medication that negatively affects balance.

What prior data suggests that these exoskeleton devices are safe for reducing muscle fatigue?

Previous studies have shown that the Laevo Flex exoskeleton effectively reduces muscle activity by 11 to 57% during bending tasks. Users reported comfort while wearing it, suggesting it is well-tolerated by most people.

Similarly, the Uplift Lite exoskeleton reduces muscle fatigue and improves workplace safety. It also increases physical endurance by up to 40%, indicating general safety for use.

Both exoskeletons are designed to support the back and lower the risk of muscle strain. Although specific side effects were not detailed in the sources, the emphasis on comfort and reduced muscle activity suggests these devices are likely safe for most users. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the exoskeleton devices, Laevo Flex and Uplift Lite, because they offer a novel approach to reducing muscle fatigue during lifting tasks. Unlike traditional methods such as physical therapy or ergonomic training, these exoskeletons provide direct mechanical assistance, potentially decreasing the strain on muscles. The Laevo Flex and Uplift Lite exoskeletons are designed to support the trunk and back, promoting better posture and reducing the workload on the user's muscles. This could lead to improved endurance and reduced fatigue, making physically demanding tasks more manageable and safer.

What evidence suggests that these exoskeleton devices are effective for reducing muscle fatigue?

This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of different exoskeleton devices in reducing muscle fatigue. Studies have shown that exoskeletons like the Laevo Flex, which participants in this trial may use, can make physical tasks feel easier and less tiring while keeping the user comfortable. Research indicates that this type of exoskeleton can reduce the use of muscles in the back and stomach, which may help lessen muscle tiredness during repetitive tasks. Findings suggest that the Uplift Lite exoskeleton, another device tested in this trial, effectively reduces muscle tiredness and improves posture when lifting. It also significantly reduces muscle strain, which can help prevent fatigue. Both devices aim to support users during physical activities, potentially making lifting tasks easier and less exhausting. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy volunteers interested in testing how different trunk assistance exoskeletons affect back load and muscle fatigue. Participants will try three exoskeleton models: Laevo Flex, Uplift Lite, and Biolift. There's no detailed inclusion or exclusion criteria provided.

Inclusion Criteria

I can communicate in French.

Exclusion Criteria

Body mass index over 35 kg/m^2

History of neurological damage

Any contraindication to the practice of physical activity

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Adjustment and Practice

Participants get each exoskeleton adjusted and practice the lifting task and measurement sequence

1 session

1 visit (in-person)

Lifting Task Sessions

Participants perform lifting tasks for 4 blocks of 20 minutes on different sessions for each exoskeleton and one session without assistance

5 sessions

5 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the intervention sessions

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Laevo Flex exoskeleton
• No trunk assistance
• Uplift Lite exoskeleton

Trial Overview The study tests the impact of three exoskeletons on lumbar load and muscular fatigue during lifting tasks. Volunteers will have an adjustment/practice session followed by four 20-minute task blocks with each device, plus a session without any device for comparison.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Repeated measures intervention group Experimental Treatment 5 Interventions

Participants will perform 5 different intervention sessions: An adjustment and practice session which is always performed first, then participants will performed 4 lifting tasks sessions in randomized order: * No trunk assistance session * Uplift Lite exoskeleton session * Biolift exoskeleton session * Laevo Flex exoskeleton session During each lifting task session, participants will perform 3 blocks of 20 minutes of the lifting task. The lifting task is a box transfer tasks from the ground to a table adjusted at hip height. The task rythm is 7 cycles per minute. The box weight is equivalent to 10% of their maximal lifting strength. The handles of the box are positioned at 28 cm above the bottom of the box. Total session duration is about 3 hours for all sessions. Participants will have between 4 and 14 days of rest in between each sessions.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

TOPMED

Lead Sponsor

Trials

10

Recruited

290+

Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

220+

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canada

Collaborator

Trials

63

Recruited

3,000+

Citations

1. laevo-exoskeletons.com laevo-exoskeletons.com/en/flex

Laevo FLEX The exoskeleton offers powerful and comfortable support and is suitable for everyday work, all body shapes, and many work environments.

2. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/robotics-and-ai/articles/10.3389/frobt.2025.1687825/full

FleXo: a flexible passive exoskeleton optimized for ... These results highlight FleXo's ability to significantly reduce perceived physical workload and effort while maintaining high levels of user comfort and ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12354768/

Effects on muscular activity and usability of soft ... Effectiveness was assessed by comparing the mean and peak EMG variations during task performance with and without the back exosuits. The results ...

4. laevo-exoskeletons.com laevo-exoskeletons.com/

Laevo Exoskeletons Our exoskeletons are wearable supports that reduce physical strain and adapt to any posture. They operate using spring-based energy storage systems that store ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0021929018308686

Effects of a passive exoskeleton on the mechanical loading ... The present study assessed the effect of a passive exoskeleton on back and abdominal muscle activation, hip and lumbar flexion.

6. laevo-exoskeletons.com laevo-exoskeletons.com/en/learning-center

Learning Center Overall, Laevo Flex offered a good balance between assistive moments, reductions in muscle activity, as well as user comfort and reductions in perceived ...

7. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-14500-3

Effects on muscular activity and usability of soft ... - Nature Results showed that the active exosuit significantly reduced mean and peak EMG levels, while the passive exoskeleton exhibited modest reductions ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12529434/

Biomechanical effects of soft and rigid passive back ... The Laevo FLEX or its earlier models demonstrate a reduction in back muscle activity ranging from 11 to 57% during trunk bending tasks ...

9. cambridge.org cambridge.org/core/journals/wearable-technologies/article/benchmarking-commercially-available-soft-and-rigid-passive-back-exoskeletons-for-an-industrial-workplace/FE5D724EF59E482DCD2B6BBCD80ADB29

Benchmarking commercially available soft and rigid ... Overall, Laevo Flex offered a good balance between assistive moments, reductions in muscle activity, as well as user comfort and reductions in ...