Understanding how ankle-foot stiffness affects comfort in prosthetic limbs
Official title: Mapping ankle-foot stiffness to socket comfort and pressure using a robotic emulator platform to personalize prosthesis function via human-in-the-loop optimization
Funded at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center · NIH-11261025 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the stiffness of prosthetic ankle-foot devices affects comfort for Veterans who have had a leg amputated below the knee, and it aims to make these devices more comfortable and better suited to each person's needs by gathering their feedback.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jesse Brown VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I21RX004077-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11261025 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans with transtibial amputation who use or are considering using a prosthetic limb.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a transtibial amputation or those who are not using prosthetic limbs may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between the stiffness of prosthetic ankle-foot devices and the comfort experienced by Veterans with transtibial amputation. By using a robotic emulator platform, the study aims to measure how socket pressure impacts user comfort and satisfaction. The goal is to optimize prosthesis function through a human-in-the-loop approach, ensuring that the devices are tailored to individual needs for improved mobility and independence. Participants will provide feedback on their comfort levels, which will be used to refine prosthetic designs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more comfortable and effective prosthetic limbs for amputees, enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that optimizing prosthetic design based on user feedback can significantly improve comfort and satisfaction, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Major, Matthew J. — Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Major, Matthew J.
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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.