NCT06232512

Multimodal Haptic Feedback for Plantar Sensory Substitution

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 85 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The study will explore the use of a haptic device for sensory substitution in individuals with a movement disorder that has caused loss of plantar sensation. The haptic device consists of two components. The first element is a flexible insole with embedded pressure-sensing elements that transmit the spatial patterns of applied foot pressure over time. The second element is a haptic receiver with embedded actuators that vibrate or heat up in proportion to the transmitted pressure patterns, thus substituting the patient's lost plantar sensation.

Detailed description

OBJECTIVES: 1. Identify a systematic, methodical approach to determine whether different users of our haptic device can perceive and use vibrational and thermal feedback in order to correct their posture in real-time. 2. Evaluate whether a haptic device can be used to guide users to maintain a prescribed pattern of pressure on their feet during standing and walking. 3. Investigate whether a haptic device can improve outcomes on motor evaluation tasks.

Conditions

• Hypoesthesia

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Haptic Device	Provides sensory substitution by mapping pressure from the insole sensor onto a corresponding vibrating and heating patch to be worn where more sensation is present.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-04-20
• Primary completion: 2026-07-01
• Completion: 2026-12-01
• First posted: 2024-01-30
• Last updated: 2025-04-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States