Variable Friction Shoe to help foot drop after stroke
Official title: Characterization and clinical trial of a Variable Friction Shoe, a new paradigm of reduced-constraint locomotor therapy for people exhibiting foot drop due to stroke
Funded at University of California Santa Barbara · NIH-11399077 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new wearable shoe uses changing friction and sounds to help people walk better after stroke without losing control of their ankle.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Barbara NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Barbara, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $587,272 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD112475-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399077 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with foot drop after stroke seeking improved gait and greater ankle mobility.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without foot drop or those unable to walk with assistive devices may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a Variable Friction shoe that changes friction during different parts of the gait cycle to reduce tripping risk while allowing full ankle movement. It also uses an audible feedback cue when scuffing occurs to reinforce safe walking patterns. The researchers will compare this shoe to standard devices like AFOs and FES, measuring improvements in walking speed and stability over time. If successful, the shoe could provide a low-cost, patient-controlled option to improve walking after stroke.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could walk more easily and confidently, possibly reducing dependence on bulky braces.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest immediate gait improvements, but larger trials are needed to confirm long-term therapeutic benefits.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hawkes, Elliot Wright — University of California Santa Barbara
- Study coordinator: Hawkes, Elliot Wright
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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.