Wearable insoles to help prevent diabetic foot ulcers
Official title: Wearable Insoles for Recurrent Diabetic Ulcer Prevention (WIREDUP)
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11413433 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A wearable insole device will monitor foot pressure and temperature in adults with diabetes to help prevent foot ulcers and potential amputations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $784,960 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK140284-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413433 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diabetes at risk for foot ulcers, especially those with a history of ulcers or neuropathy.
✕Less likely to help
People without diabetes or without risk factors for foot ulcers may not benefit and could experience no improvement.
What this research studies
If you have diabetes and are at risk for foot ulcers, this study tests a smart insole system that tracks how you walk, where you put pressure, and foot temperature to give early warnings. The device is designed to be used with a smartphone app to guide prevention and reduce the chance of ulcers returning after healing. The researchers will enroll adults in California and use real-world wear to see if the system lowers ulcer risk and improves foot health over several years. Participants may receive support to fit and use the smart insoles and app as part of ongoing diabetes care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce ulcers and amputations by giving early warnings and personalized prevention tips.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work on smart insoles has shown promise in monitoring risk factors, but long-term ulcer reduction remains to be proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hicks, Caitlin Whitney — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Hicks, Caitlin Whitney
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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.