Understanding Temperature Control in People with Leg Amputations
Official title: Thermoregulation in individuals with a leg amputation: mechanics and vascular physiology factors to understand risks for tissue complications
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11136337 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how body temperature is regulated in people with a leg amputation to help prevent skin problems like pressure sores.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | August 26, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $454,795 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD106911-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136337 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this type of research would be adults aged 21 or older who have a unilateral leg amputation, especially those with diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a leg amputation or those not experiencing issues with skin temperature regulation related to their prosthesis may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
For individuals with a leg amputation, keeping the remaining leg and the area where the prosthesis connects healthy is very important. Skin temperature is a key sign of tissue health, as high temperatures can lead to discomfort and increase the risk of pressure sores or ulcers. This is especially true for people with diabetes, who often have trouble with blood flow that helps cool the skin. We want to understand the specific reasons why these areas might get too hot, including how walking mechanics might play a role. This knowledge could lead to better ways to protect vulnerable tissues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to earlier detection and better ways to prevent painful skin complications like pressure sores for people with leg amputations.
How similar studies have gone: While previous work has linked walking mechanics to foot temperature in healthy individuals and those with diabetes, this specific application to prosthesis users is a novel area of focus.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Takahashi, Kota — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Takahashi, Kota
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Spinal muscle targets to improve mobility after leg amputation
A study with adults who’ve had a lower-leg amputation will look at how spinal muscle weakness and fat in the back muscles relate to mobility, with the aim of guiding rehabilitation choices.
-
Bone and skin movement inside prosthetic sockets for below-knee amputees
This project uses moving X-ray and CT-based 3D models to measure how bones, skin, and liners move inside the prosthetic socket of people with below-knee amputations during walking and other activities.
-
Surgical strategies to prevent and reduce amputation pain
This project tests how two nerve-sparing techniques can prevent or lessen phantom and residual limb pain in people who have or will have amputations, especially veterans.
-
Improving how we measure physical function for people using artificial arms
Aimed at making it easier and more accurate to track how well people with upper limb prostheses move and function in daily life.
-
AMPDECIDE: Helping Veterans choose amputation level with personalized outcome information
A doctor helps a veteran facing leg amputation learn personalized risks and likely outcomes for different amputation levels to guide their care choices.
-
Thermoregulation and tissue health in leg-amputee patients
This grant looks at how skin temperature and mechanical factors during walking affect tissue health and risk of sores in people with a leg amputation, especially those with diabetes.
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.