Optimizing how we capture foot shape to make better custom insoles for diabetes-related foot problems
Official title: Determining Optimal Foot Shape Capture Methods to Prioritize Offloading in An Accommodative Insole
Funded at VA Puget Sound Healthcare System · NIH-11435437 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new project will compare different ways of capturing foot shape to make more comfortable, better-fitting insoles that reduce pressure and help prevent ulcers in adults with diabetes.
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 | October 1, 2025 |
| Project end | September 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX005325-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11435437 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diabetes who are at risk for plantar ulcers and need custom accommodative insoles.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not at risk for ulcers or not requiring insoles may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will test patient-specific foot-shape capture and variable-stiffness insole designs to reduce dangerous pressure points on the foot. Researchers will compare traditional foam-mill methods with newer foot-scanning approaches to see how accurate each method is and whether scanners change the foot shape. The study includes developing insoles that match the exact shape of the foot and adjust stiffness in specific regions to relieve high-pressure areas. The work aims to translate precision foot measurements into personalized insoles that clinicians can use to better protect diabetic feet.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with diabetes could receive more effective, customized insoles that lower foot pressure and reduce the risk of ulcers and amputation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous healthy-person studies showed reduced pressure with personalized insoles; this work extends to people with diabetes and ulcer risk, with ongoing preliminary results.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muir, Brittney C — VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Muir, Brittney C
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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.