# Exoskeleton optimization for reducing gait variability in patients with Peripheral Artery Disease

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHA · 2021 · $183,987

## Abstract

Project Summary
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) affects approximately 10 million patients in the US and is produced by
atherosclerotic blockages in the arteries that supply the legs. Traditional treatments, such as revascularization
surgery, medication and exercise therapy, do not sufficiently restore walking impairments due to claudication.
We propose to use a powered hip exoskeleton to restore mobility. By assisting at the hip, we minimize the risk
of skin irritation and ulcers in the lower leg. It is important to individually optimize the pattern of the moment by
which an exoskeleton assists during a gait cycle. However, the required protocol durations are problematic for
PAD patients. Aim 1 will be to determine the optimal assistance pattern by using a method that we proposed in
a recent perspective paper in Science. We propose using real-time measurements of gait variability as an
optimization objective for human-in-the-loop optimization. We will use a versatile off-board actuation system that
will allow us to test a wide range of timings and magnitudes. Aim 2 will be to determine whether an exoskeleton
can increase walking endurances in patients with PAD. We hypothesize that the 6-minute walking time, initial
claudication distance and cost of transport will improve. Different exoskeletons are emerging for mobility
assistance; however, no extensive human-in-the-loop studies have been conducted in clinical populations. Thus,
this application in PAD patients would be innovative. We expect that this methodology can be transferable to
other clinical populations with impaired mobility (e.g., the elderly and stroke, Parkinson’s, and cerebral palsy
patients) and for optimizing other devices including passive devices and mobile exoskeletons.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10245013
- **Project number:** 5P20GM109090-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHA
- **Principal Investigator:** Philippe Malcolm
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $183,987
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-08-01 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10245013

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10245013, Exoskeleton optimization for reducing gait variability in patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (5P20GM109090-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10245013. Licensed CC0.

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