A new way to treat foot pain in older adults
Official title: A Novel Approach to Plantar Fasciitis in the Aging Population The NAPA trial
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-10885949 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help older adults with plantar fasciitis by using minimal shoes that let your feet move more naturally and get stronger, instead of relying on traditional arch supports, to help reduce pain and improve your overall mobility and quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $497,235 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG071646-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10885949 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing plantar fasciitis, particularly those who have not found relief with standard treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have plantar fasciitis or those with severe foot deformities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to treating plantar fasciitis, a common and often disabling foot condition in aging adults. The study explores the use of minimal shoes, which allow the foot to function more naturally and strengthen intrinsic foot muscles, as opposed to traditional arch support methods that may lead to muscle atrophy. By promoting foot muscle strength, the research aims to reduce the risk of plantar fasciitis recurrence and improve overall mobility and quality of life for participants. The trial will involve active follow-up and assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve mobility and quality of life for older adults suffering from plantar fasciitis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using minimal shoes for treating knee osteoarthritis, suggesting potential for similar benefits in plantar fasciitis.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Florida
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davis, Irene S — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Davis, Irene S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
A new way to treat foot pain in older adults
This study is looking at how wearing minimal shoes might help older adults with plantar fasciitis by strengthening their foot muscles and reducing pain, so they can move better and enjoy life more.
-
Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
A center at Yale is exploring how aging with HIV interacts with alcohol use to create inflammation and frailty, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential treatments.
-
Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
-
Biological aging across the lifespan through a national high school-to-adult study
This grant uses a long-running national study of students and adults to collect saliva biomarkers of aging, alongside surveys, to understand how aging markers relate to health and life experiences.
-
Understanding how aging and Alzheimer’s affect how people make tough choices
This NIH grant studies how aging and Alzheimer’s risk change how people decide between immediate and delayed rewards and risky options, with the goal of helping older adults stay financially and healthwise safer.
-
Understanding how brain resilience and multiple brain pathologies influence aging and Alzheimer's disease
A long-term study follows older adults to learn how resilience to brain changes helps reduce dementia risk and what biological factors are linked to better cognitive aging.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.