Clinical Trials Stage of 'SoleSensor': A Balance-Enhancing Shoe Insert.

September 6, 2005 updated by: Wilfrid Laurier University
Our research has shown that pressure sensation from the soles of the feet (plantar mechanoreceptors) plays an important role in controlling several key aspects of balancing reactions, particularly during compensatory stepping . As a result, age-related loss of plantar pressure sensation, which is very common, can lead to impaired control of these reactions. However, we have shown that it is possible to compensate for balance impairments resulting from this loss of sensation by using special footwear insoles to facilitate sensation from the perimeter of the sole. To date, we have demonstrated the feasibility of this approach in laboratory studies, and we have obtained a U.S. patent for the design concept. However, it remains to be determined whether the benefits of the footwear persist over the long term, or whether there is a habituation of the effect. Also, we need to determine whether there are any practical problems associated with wearing such footwear, e.g. due to discomfort or irritation of the skin.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Observational

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Ontario
      • Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5
        • WLU Biomechanics Laboratory

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

65 years to 75 years (Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Aged 65 to 75 years

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Any neurological or musculoskeletal ailments that affect their balance
  • Any drugs that affect balance

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Stephen D Perry, PhD, Wilfrid Laurier University
  • Principal Investigator: Brian E Maki, PhD, Centre for Studies In Aging, Sunnybrook & Women's
  • Principal Investigator: Geoff R Fernie, PhD, Centre for Studies In Aging, Sunnybrook & Women's

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

February 1, 2002

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 6, 2005

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 6, 2005

First Posted (Estimate)

September 8, 2005

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

September 8, 2005

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 6, 2005

Last Verified

September 1, 2005

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • PPP-53686

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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