# A structurally suitable neck exoskeleton for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

> **NIH NIH R03** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2024 · $148,449

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Although static neck braces are prescribed to patients with head drop resulted from amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS), many patients do not use these neck braces because they are uncomfortable and ineffective.
As a result, patients leave their head drop condition untreated, which worsens their ability to breathe, swallow,
speak, and perform other daily tasks. The long-term goal is to treat ALS head drop through an at-home assistive
device. The overall objective in this application is to build a structurally suitable neck exoskeleton for ALS head
drop, with comfortable and easy-to-wear attachments, as well as robust mechanical linkages and joints. The
central hypothesis is that a structurally suitable neck exoskeleton will improve overall users’ satisfaction, increase
head-neck range of motion, and enable social interactions. The rationale for this project is that once a structurally
suitable neck exoskeleton becomes available, it will likely offer a feasible platform to support future clinical trials
and facilitate its translation for domestic use. The central hypothesis will be tested by pursuing one specific aim:
Determine mechanical factors of a suitable neck exoskeleton critical for ALS head drop. Under this aim, patients
with ALS head drop will be involved in the design process and precisely made components will be used to build
a structurally suitable neck exoskeleton. It will then be evaluated by patients with severe ALS head drop to
determine the extent to which this neck exoskeleton increases head-neck range of motion, enables social
interaction, enhances head-neck movement precision, and achieves overall satisfaction of these participants.
The research proposed in this application is innovative, in the applicant’s opinion, because it focuses on
achieving a structurally suitable neck exoskeleton to empower head-neck movements in patients with ALS head
drop by incorporating patients’ feedback and utilizing advanced design and manufacturing methods. The
proposed research is significant because it is the next fundamental step in the continuum of research that is
expected to provide clinically available neck exoskeleton specifically targeted for ALS.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10811000
- **Project number:** 1R03HD111884-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Haohan Zhang
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $148,449
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10811000

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10811000, A structurally suitable neck exoskeleton for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (1R03HD111884-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10811000. Licensed CC0.

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