Monitoring foot temperature at home to prevent diabetic foot ulcers
Official title: Home foot-temperature monitoring through smart mat technology to improve access, equity, and outcomes in high-risk patients with diabetes
Funded at VA Puget Sound Healthcare System · NIH-11019677 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a smart mat that helps people with diabetes check their foot temperature in just 20 seconds to catch early signs of foot ulcers, making it easier for patients, especially those in high-risk groups, to take charge of their foot health from home.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Puget Sound Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003540-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11019677 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with diabetes, particularly those who have a history of foot ulcers or are at high risk due to demographic factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have diabetes or those who are not at risk for foot ulcers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of smart mat technology to monitor foot temperature in patients with diabetes, aiming to detect early signs of foot ulcers. Patients will simply stand on a mat for 20 seconds to collect temperature data, which will be analyzed to identify potential problem areas. The goal is to improve access to care and outcomes, particularly for high-risk groups such as Black and rural patients who often face barriers to timely treatment. By enabling home monitoring, the study seeks to empower patients to take proactive steps in managing their foot health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of diabetic foot ulcers and related amputations, improving quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that remote temperature monitoring can effectively reduce the risk of ulceration, indicating a promising approach for this research.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Littman, Alyson — VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Littman, Alyson
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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.