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Deploying Digital Prosthetic Interface Technology and Exercise in Dysvascular Amputees

Improving the Health Status of Dysvascular Amputees by Deploying Digital Prosthetic Interface Technology in Combination With an Exercise Intervention

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05656924
Enrollment
38
Registered
2022-12-19
Start date
2023-12-20
Completion date
2027-12-31
Last updated
2026-04-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Amputation, Diabetes Type 2

Brief summary

The study will test a new approach to the design and implementation of socket and liner technology in individuals who lost a lower limb secondary to diabetes mellitus type II (herein referred to as dysvascular amputees). The technology-based intervention will be combined with an exercise program designed to improve the health status of dysvascular amputees.

Detailed description

The study will test the hypothesis that the use of a digital approach to the design and implementation of socket and liner technology (herein referred to as "digital prosthetic interface technology") leads to better health of the residuum (compared to traditional socket and liner technology). This hypothesis will be tested by recruiting a group of dysvascular amputees (herein meant to refer to individuals who lost a lower limb secondary diabetes mellitus type II) and by randomizing them to either receiving a digital prosthetic interface technology or a traditional socket and liner system. Furthermore, the study will assess if the digital prosthetic interface technology improves adherence to an exercise program and results in better clinical outcomes. To test this hypothesis, an exercise intervention will be deployed by relying on coaching and mobile health technology to encourage adherence to a walking program targeting dysvascular transtibial amputees. This exercise intervention is an extension of pilot work that demonstrated the suitability of mobile health technology to implement an exercise-based intervention program in dysvascular amputees.

Interventions

DEVICEdigital prosthetic interface technology

Individuals randomized to this group will receive a socket and liner that are manufactured using a novel technique meant to achieve a better distribution of pressure on the residuum. The study is based on the hypothesis that an improvement in pressure distribution on the residuum will enable high adherence to an exercise program meant to improve health status in dysvascular amputees.

Sponsors

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER
Bionic Skins LLC
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
CollaboratorNIH

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Study participants will be randomized to one of two groups: group 1 will use the digital prosthetic interface technology developed by Bionic Skins and group 2 will use a traditional socket-liner technology (i.e., study participants will use their own liner and socket system).

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Unilateral transtibial amputation within the past 6 years * Etiology secondary to complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) type II * Current use of a prosthesis, with at least 2 months prior use * K2 or K3 level (as determined using the Amputee Mobility Predictor assessment tool) * Own a smartphone

Exclusion criteria

* Amputation due to cancer or macrotrauma or acute hemorrhage * Bilateral amputation * Medically or surgically unstable contralateral lower extremity as determined by medical criteria (e.g., critical limb ischemia) * Severe residual limb pain that limits function preventing participation in an exercise-based program * Medical conditions that would interfere with subject's participation in regular sustained exercise * Anthropometric characteristics that are not compatible with the technology used to scan the residuum and manufacture the liner and socket (e.g., a residuum circumference greater than 32 inches would not be compatible with the device used to scan the residuum) * Current pregnancy

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Difference in intra-socket interface pressure between the two groupsBaselinePressure sensors inserted in the socket will be used to measure the pressure on the residuum when study participants are weight bearing. The pressure is measured in kilopascals (kPa). 1 kPa is approximately the pressure exerted by a 10-g mass resting on a 1-cm2 area.
Difference in step counts between the two groups12 monthsThe average number of steps over a period of 2 weeks will be provided by a wearable sensor (Oura ring). The data will be expressed in number of steps per day.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Difference in thermal imaging measures of the temperature of the residuum in the two groupsBaselineA thermal camera will be used to measure the peak temperature of the residuum. The residuum temperature will be measured in degrees Celsius.
Difference in Socket Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ) scores in the two groupsBaselineThe Socket Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ) consists of a battery of questions inquiring about subject's comfort using a socket. The SEQ uses a visual analog scale format. The output ranges from 0 (worst) to 100 (best).
Difference in Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ) scores in the two groupsBaselineThe Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ) consists of a battery of questions inquiring about subject's perception of his/her prosthesis. The PEQ uses a visual analog scale format. The output ranges from 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORPaolo Bonato, PhD

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 29, 2026