Improving the design of removable cast walkers for diabetic foot ulcers
Official title: Improving Diabetic Foot Ulcer Offloading: A Pilot Study on the Impact of Removable Cast Walker Design Factors on Usability
Funded at Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci · NIH-10843854 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make removable cast walkers easier to use for people with diabetic foot ulcers, so they can wear them more often and help their feet heal better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (North Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $269,317 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK131303-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10843854 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with diabetes who have developed diabetic foot ulcers and are prescribed removable cast walkers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have diabetic foot ulcers or those who are not using removable cast walkers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different design factors of removable cast walkers (RCWs) can improve their usability for patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). It aims to understand why patients often struggle to use these devices consistently, which is crucial for healing DFUs. By collecting data on both the biomechanical performance of the walkers and patient experiences, the study seeks to identify design features that enhance adherence and ultimately improve healing outcomes. The findings will inform a larger trial to evaluate the effectiveness of optimized RCWs in promoting foot health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better healing rates for diabetic foot ulcers, reducing the need for amputations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that improving device usability can significantly enhance patient adherence and treatment outcomes, suggesting a promising avenue for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci
North Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosenblatt, Noah — Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci
- Study coordinator: Rosenblatt, Noah
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving Diabetic Foot Ulcer Offloading with User-Friendly Cast Walker Design
A small pilot study to see how different removable cast walker designs affect daily use and healing of diabetic foot ulcers.
-
Home-based exercise to help Veterans recover after healed diabetic foot ulcers
A home-based exercise program for Veterans who recently healed from a diabetic foot ulcer to improve walking and daily function.
-
Wound fluid test to predict healing in diabetic foot ulcers
This project looks for chemical signals in the fluid from diabetic foot ulcers that could tell adults with diabetes whether a wound will heal with standard care or need a different treatment.
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Identifying biomarkers in wound fluid for diabetic foot ulcers
This study is looking at special substances in the fluid from diabetic foot ulcers to see if they can help doctors predict how well the wounds will heal, which could lead to better and more personalized treatments for people with these types of wounds.
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Investigating gene markers that affect healing in diabetic foot ulcers
This study is looking at how inflammation affects the healing of foot ulcers in people with diabetes, and it's creating a special test to help doctors understand how well these wounds are healing so they can provide better, personalized care for patients.
-
Home exercise program to help Veterans recover after a recently healed diabetic foot ulcer
A home-based exercise program designed to help Veterans who recently healed from a diabetic foot ulcer regain strength, mobility, and independence.
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.