AzTrials
AzTrials

Spinal Cord DiseasesOARSNCT07099625

Optimization of Adaptive Rowing Seating

A study testing Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat and Paddle Sport adaptive seating system in people with Spinal Cord Diseases and Spinal Cord Injuries, run by VA Office of Research and Development at 2 sites in United States.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Adaptive sports programs are integral components to combating Veteran isolation, promoting wellbeing and seeking to build teams, networks, communities. These activity-based communities are medicine free treatment systems enhancing Veterans' health from a holistic perspective. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat and Paddle Sport adaptive seating system
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
15 participants
Where
2 sitesUnited States
Study dates
5 Oct 2026to 31 Dec 2028
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Non-ventilator dependent paralysis, such as:
  • central nervous system impairment
  • spinal cord injuries with single neurological level in the cervical to lumbosacral region
  • cerebrovascular accident with associated sequelae including but not limited to hemiparesis and spasticity
  • neurodegenerative disorders including but not limited to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, multiple system atrophy, and parkinsonism
  • Poor trunk control/stability
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  • Ability of body structure to fit within the limits of AIRS and the rowing system
  • Either volitional control of lower extremities or response/tolerance to electrical stimulation
  • Individuals who would be classified as PR2 or PR1 - FISA Para-Rowing Classifications

Who cannot join

  • Veterans will be excluded if they have:
  • acute illness or injury
  • active or recent pressure injuries in the last 6 months affecting their ability to safely row (e.g., the coccyx, ischial tuberosity, sacrum, etc.)
  • Individuals who would be classified as NE or PR3-PD - FISA Para-Rowing Classifications
  • Flap procedure to address pressure injury less than one year prior
  • Upper extremity pain that restricts rowing
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  • Surgical procedure within past 6 months that would make the study procedures unsafe (e.g., tendon repairs/transfers, neural decompressions, bony fusions, etc.)
  • Upper extremity or spine fractures within past 3 months, or longer if remains unstable/not fully healed.
  • Medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, or other conditions that would make the study procedures unsafe pregnancy
  • Inability to communicate with the study team in real time
  • Inability to follow simple commands
  • Unable or unwilling to give consent

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

John M Looft, PhD contact

(612) 725-2001

john.looft@va.gov

John L Belew, PhD contact

(612) 467-4806

John.Belew@va.gov

United States2 sites
  • Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44106-1702

    Lisa Lombardo, MPT, 216-402-0190, Lisa.Lombardo2@va.gov

    Maura Malencheck, 2162930762, Maura.Malenchek@va.gov

  • Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN

    Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55417-2309

    Nicole Walker, MS, (612) 467-3229, nicole.walker6@va.gov

    Julie Toth, RN, (612) 467-5655 ext. 5655, Julie.Toth@va.gov

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Optimization of Adaptive Rowing Seating (OARS)

Adaptive sports programs are integral components to combating Veteran isolation, promoting wellbeing and seeking to build teams, networks, communities. These activity-based communities are medicine free treatment systems enhancing Veterans' health from a holistic perspective. This approach to Veteran healthcare is critical as studies indicate Veterans not only have 56% higher perceived social isolation but are also 1.5x more susceptible to suicide than the general public. It is imperative to improve access to exercise and physical activity through adaptive sport or recreation. This proposal is going to focus on Adaptive Indoor Rowing for Veterans with limited or changing trunk stability (i.e. SCI/D, paralysis, paresis, etc.). Rowing is a unique full-body activity that increases cardiovascular demand and increases coordination and aerobic capacity through movement. This proposal aims to address critical gaps in adaptive rowing technology and provide Veterans with limited trunk stability access to full stroke adaptive rowing.

Read the detailed description

Significance to VA: Veterans with SCI/D experience limited access to physical activity due to insufficient adaptive equipment options. It is imperative to improve access to exercise and physical activity through the thoughtful design and development of adequate adaptive technologies that reduce barriers to participation. The current state of adaptive indoor rowing is ineffective at exercising the full body, which limits the improvement of cardiovascular health and neuromusculoskeletal coordination resulting in decreased benefits to Veterans and may discourage further motivation to participate. This proposal focuses on Adaptive Rowing for Veterans with limited trunk stability and specifically on the need for new adaptive seat options for indoor rowing

Innovation and Impact: Current adaptations for indoor rowing bypass the use of the legs and reduce participant range of motion, limiting the full-body exercise to an arms-only workout regardless of the user's ability. The proposed adaptive indoor rowing seat provides a full slide motion while also regulating trunk range of motion movements. A function that is currently unavailable in any current or past adaptive indoor rowing seat.

Specific Aims:

  1. Optimize a new clinically viable adaptive indoor rowing seat for Veterans with limited trunk stability.

Subtask 1) Assess 1st prototype of Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat (AIRS V1) with Veterans and clinicians specializing in SCI/D and collect feedback.

Subtask 2) Develop 2nd prototype of Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat (AIRS V2) from Veteran and clinician feedback collected in Subtask 1.

Subtask 3) Test feasibility of 2nd prototype of Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat (AIRS V2) with Veterans in Cleveland and collect feedback from Veterans and clinicians.

H1) The AIRS V2 will result in increased anterior/posterior trunk movement when compared to the discontinued Paddle Sport adaptive seating system while performing rowing.

H2) Rowing with the AIRS V2 will result in increased stroke length or ability to generate more power through their upper extremities when compared to the discontinued Paddle Sport adaptive seating system.

H3) Veterans will rate feeling more stable and comfortable rowing with the AIRS V2.

Subtask 4) Generate 3rd prototype (AIRS V3) from feedback on AIRS V2. The entirety of feedback collected, and data analyzed will result in the development of two AIRS V3 prototypes.

Methodology: Year one of this proposal will focus on Subtask 1 and 2. First, feedback on the design of AIRS V1 will be collected from Veterans with SCI/D and SCI/D Clinicians at the 2025 National Wheelchair Games being hosted in Minneapolis and the RECOVER and APT Center Veteran Engagement Panels. Feedback will also be obtained from study industry partners: Concept2 and US Rowing. The investigators will then design and fabricate AIRS V2 incorporating the Veterans with SCI/D, SCI/D clinicians, and industry feedback. In year 2, AIRS V2 will be shipped to the APT Center for human subject testing with Veterans with SCI/D. The hypotheses listed above will be tested to access whether AIRS V2 is more effective and preferred than the Paddle Sport adaptive seating system currently being used at the APT Center: Both sites will work together to use the data and feedback from the human subjects testing to guide any additional modifications needed for AIRS V3. In Year 3, the design team will build two AIRS V3s, shipping one to the APT Center, as well as disseminating any remaining findings.

Path to Translation/Implementation: Additionally, the overall experience and insights gained throughout this project will contribute to commercialization opportunities of AIRS V3. Throughout this proposal the investigators will strategize with study industry partners, Concept2 \& US Rowing, along with VA Technology Transfer Program to determine the best commercialization path for getting the AIRS V3 in the hands of Veterans.

Being tested
Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat, Paddle Sport adaptive seating system
Keywords
Veteran Health, Sports for Persons with Disabilities, Paralysis, Paresis, Adaptive Sports, Indoor Rowing
Medical subject headings
Spinal Cord Diseases, Spinal Cord Injuries, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Paralysis, Paresis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Adaptive Indoor Rowing SeatDevice

    Also called AIRS V2

    Light weight adjustable indoor rowing seat for Veterans with limited trunk stability.

  • Paddle Sport adaptive seating systemDevice

    On market comparator (discontinued) adaptive indoor rowing seat for individuals with limited trunk stability.

Study groups in NCT07099625
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
AIRS V2ExperimentalThe (Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat) AIRS V2 will be used within an established adaptive rowing protocol for Veterans with limited trunk strength and compared with the Paddle Sport adaptive seating system.
Receives: Device: Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat
Paddle Sport Adaptive Seating SystemExperimentalThe (Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat) AIRS V2 will be used within an established adaptive rowing protocol for Veterans with limited trunk strength and compared with the Paddle Sport adaptive seating system.
Receives: Device: Paddle Sport adaptive seating system

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Trunk Movement

    Changes in angular trunk position (degrees) will be captured during a self-selected, moderate pace for 2-5 minutes depending on their ability. They will complete 3 trials of rowing with at least 10 minutes of rest between trials on each seat.

    Measured: up to 4 weeks after enrollment

  2. Rowing Stroke Length

    Changes in stroke length (cm) will be captured during a self-selected, moderate pace for 2-5 minutes depending on their ability. They will complete 3 trials of rowing with at least 10 minutes of rest between trials on each seat.

    Measured: up to 4 weeks after enrollment

  3. Power (Watts)

    Changes in power generation (Watts) will be captured during a self-selected, moderate pace for 2-5 minutes depending on their ability. They will complete 3 trials of rowing with at least 10 minutes of rest between trials on each seat.

    Measured: up to 4 weeks after enrollment

  4. Custom Usability Items

    Questions study specific to the usability of the indoor rowing seats

    Measured: up to 4 weeks after enrollment

  5. System Usability Score (SUS) [Brook (1996, 2013)]

    Widely used measure to assess usability of any technological system. It is a questionnaire based approach that combines subjective ratings and objective metrics to provide a quantitative measure of usability.

    Measured: up to 4 weeks after enrollment

  6. User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) [(Laugwitz et al 2006, 2008)]

    A quick and comprehensive assessment tool that allows users "in a very simple and immediate way to express feelings, impressions, and attitudes that arise when experiencing the product under investigation."

    Measured: up to 4 weeks after enrollment

  7. Usability Metric for User Experience [(Finstad et al 2010)]

    Usability experience survey

    Measured: up to 4 weeks after enrollment

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted1 Aug 2025
  2. Study start5 Oct 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion4 Oct 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Dec 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Model description
Single group assignment with crossover design where participants will be randomized which rowing seat they start with and which seat is second. n=15
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
15 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07099625
Sponsor's protocol ID
RRD5-015-24W
Acronym
OARS
Status last verified
Jul 2026
First submitted
7 Jul 2025
Last updated
24 Jul 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat and Paddle Sport adaptive seating system in people with Spinal Cord Diseases and Spinal Cord Injuries, run by VA Office of Research and Development at 2 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 12 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact John M Looft, PhD ((612) 725-2001, john.looft@va.gov), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Trunk Movement (time frame: up to 4 weeks after enrollment). The study lists 7 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Jul 2026.

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