Using wearable sensors to improve prosthetic alignment for veterans with leg amputations
Use of Wearable Sensors to Assess Prosthetic Alignment in Veterans with Unilateral Transtibial Amputations
This study is for veterans with a leg amputation who want to improve their quality of life by making their prosthetic legs fit better, using special sensors to check how well the prosthetics are aligned while they walk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141544 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on veterans who have undergone unilateral transtibial amputation and aims to enhance their quality of life by improving prosthetic alignment. The study will utilize wearable sensors to objectively assess the alignment of prosthetic limbs, which is currently done subjectively by clinicians. By having veterans walk on a force-treadmill with various prosthetic alignments, the research will evaluate the accuracy and precision of the sensor technology in real-time. This innovative approach seeks to reduce the number of clinical visits and improve comfort and functionality for prosthetic users.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who have experienced unilateral transtibial amputation and use a prosthetic limb.
Not a fit: Patients who have not undergone transtibial amputation or those who do not use prosthetic limbs may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and efficient prosthetic alignments, significantly improving the comfort and mobility of veterans with amputations.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of wearable sensors in prosthetic alignment is a relatively novel approach, similar technologies have shown promise in other areas of rehabilitation and biomechanics.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grabowski, Alena — VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Grabowski, Alena
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 below.