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Simulation framework to develop ankle exoskeleton gait assistance for older adults

Award Number: R00AG065524
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2025

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Simulation framework to develop ankle exoskeleton gait assistance for older adults - Project Summary / Abstract The candidate's long-term objective is to enable optimal and customized intervention to improve mobility. Mo- bility is an essential physical activity for maintaining an active lifestyle and functional independence and is a common issue for older adults, where musculoskeletal diseases are the leading cause of mobility limitations. While robotic orthoses, or exoskeletons, promise to improve mobility, the progress in research is slow as eval- uation on the outcome of gait assistance currently requires extensive experiments with human subjects. In this project, the candidate proposes to develop a computer simulation framework that can predict the gait dynamics and performance of different ankle-exoskeleton assistances. The study will develop and evaluate how ankle- exoskeleton assistance affects metabolic energy consumption, walking speed, and pain during walking in healthy young and older adults as well as in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. The candidate will develop the simulation framework based on a computational neuromechanical human locomotion model he has previ- ously developed, and collect human gait data using an ankle-exoskeleton emulator developed in his laboratory to validate the predictions of the framework. In addition to the simulation framework, the study will deliver an- kle-exoskeleton strategies that can effectively assist healthy young and older adults and those with knee osteo- arthritis to walk more efficiently, fast, and with less pain. During the K99 phase, the candidate will receive train- ing in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University. The mentoring team consists of four experts who can provide training in experimental human biomechanics, computer simulation of human move- ment, musculoskeletal diseases in older adults, and gerontology. An advisory committee with three members will provide additional expertise in optimality principles in human motion, and in non-clinical needs and surgical trauma in the senior population. The training will prepare the candidate to become a leading independent in- vestigator in the multidisciplinary fields of motor control and rehabilitation engineering, who produces theoreti- cal and clinical impacts on improving mobility.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $235,676 )
2024	2024	NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY	360 HUNTINGTON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02115	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	000	5	4/19/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$235,676
														Subtotal = $235,676

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $242,651 )
2023	2023	NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY	360 HUNTINGTON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02115	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	001	4	6/29/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2023	2023	NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY	360 HUNTINGTON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02115	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	000	4	4/4/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$242,651
														Subtotal = $242,651

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $301,687 )
2022	2022	NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY	360 HUNTINGTON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02115	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	000	3	4/13/2022	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$249,000
2022	2022	NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY	360 HUNTINGTON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02115	SUFFOLK	USA	Aging Research	001	3	5/5/2022	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$52,687
														Subtotal = $301,687

Grand Total All Awards = $780,014

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Simulation framework to develop ankle exoskeleton gait assistance for older adults

Award Number: R00AG065524

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2025

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