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StrokeNCT06234124

Characterization and Clinical Trial of a Variable Friction Shoe

A study testing Variable Friction Shoe Training and Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) Training in people with Stroke, run by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at 1 site in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

More than one million Americans present with foot drop after stroke. As the aging population grows in the United States and across the world, incidence of stroke will grow as age is a key risk factor, thus there will be a need for low-cost, easy-to-use, and scalable solutions to administer proper therapy to promote… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Stroke
What is being tested?
Variable Friction Shoe Training and Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) Training
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
50 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
3 Apr 2024to Jun 2027
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • At least 3 months poststroke
  • Age 18 or older
  • Possess a prescribed AFO or be a potential candidate for use of an AFO
  • Can ambulate at least 10m with or without an assistive device such as a cane or walker
  • Medically stable as determined by physician medical clearance
  • No expected change in medications for at least 3 months
Show all 14Show fewer
  • Adequate stability at the ankle during stance
  • Ability to hear clicking noise made by the VF shoe
  • Physician approval
  • Ability to give informed consent
  • Able to sit unsupported and be able to follow a three-step command
  • No unhealed/unresolved orthopedic injury to either upper or lower extremity and no history of severe back pain
  • English speaking
  • Willing to follow an exercise program with both devices for at least 30 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week for the full length of the program (6 months)

Who cannot join

  • History of falling more than once a week prior to the stroke
  • Gait speed: self-selected velocity (SSV) greater than 1.2 m/s
  • Inability to operate in the devices safely and no caregiver assistance available
  • Morbid obesity (body mass index >40 kg/m2)
  • Preexisting conditions such as serious cardiac conditions, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, demand pacemaker, seizures, excessive dysesthetic pain, and severe lower extremity pathology that would interfere with fit or use of the shoe.
  • Severe deficits in cognition or communication
Show all 11Show fewer
  • Pregnant women (status determined by self-reporting).
  • Co-morbidity that interferes with the study (e.g. significant arthritis or joint problems, history of back injury, neuromuscular disorders, epilepsy, etc.).
  • Severe Osteoporosis (status determined by self-reporting).
  • Prisoners
  • Not currently receiving botox to the lower extremities.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Joe Harris, DPT contact

312-238-8425

jharris2@sralab.org

Jennifer Bartloff, DPT, PhD contact

312-238-1562

jbartloff@sralab.org

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

    Chicago, Illinois, 60611

    Joe H PT, DPT, 312-238-8425, jharris2@sralab.org

    Sara Prokup, DPT, 3122381355, sprokup@sralab.org

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

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

More than one million Americans present with foot drop after stroke. As the aging population grows in the United States and across the world, incidence of stroke will grow as age is a key risk factor, thus there will be a need for low-cost, easy-to-use, and scalable solutions to administer proper therapy to promote recovery. This study will evaluate a Variable Friction shoe (VF shoe), a new low-cost medical device, for foot drop in an at-home setting.

Read the detailed description

The investigators propose an alternative strategy that addresses the hazard of tripping even while allowing full volitional control of the ankle: an inexpensive Variable Friction (VF) shoe. Its outsole is high-friction during the stance phase of gait and low friction during swing; further, it produces a "click" when a scuff occurs.

The investigator's central hypothesis is that allowing volitional motion of the ankle while mitigating the hazard of tripping coupled with gait-phased auditory biofeedback will result in improved gait for subjects with drop foot. Specifically, the investigators hypothesize that the VF shoe will show significantly greater therapeutic effects than an AFO, yet maintain the desirable orthotic effect of the AFO. The study is arranged in two Aims.

Exploratory Aim: Identify a systematic, methodical approach to device fitting, in-clinic and at-home training with the VF shoe and optimization of collecting outcome measures as assessments. For example, up to 10 participants will be enrolled for up to 8 visits over 12 weeks to determine the optimal data collection methods, fitting and training of use of VF shoes, and order of assessments, etc.

Specific Aim 1: Characterize the scuff-force reduction of the VF shoe over the lifetime of use. Critical to understanding the effects of the VF shoe is a characterization of the level of scuff-force reduction.

Specific Aim 2: Evaluate the effects of the VF shoe on gait in individuals with chronic stroke and drop foot. During each 12-week phase of an AB-BA clinical trial, participants will walk for at least 30-45 minutes per day for at least 5 days per week at home.

Conditions
Stroke
Being tested
Variable Friction Shoe Training, Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) Training
Medical subject headings
Stroke

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Variable Friction Shoe TrainingDevice

    The experimental group (A) will be given a pair of VF shoes and instructed to use shoes on both feet. This group will be instructed to walk on hard surfaces to engage auditory feedback of the VF shoes. This group group will be monitored daily using actigraphy and will receive weekly check-up telephone calls by a member of the research team to record number of steps, walking time, a scale for self-identified effort and perceived safety levels.

  • Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) TrainingDevice

    The control group (B) will be provided an AFO to use on the paretic limb. This group will be instructed to walk on hard surfaces. This group group will be monitored daily using actigraphy and will receive weekly check-up telephone calls by a member of the research team to record number of steps, walking time, a scale for self-identified effort and perceived safety levels.

Study groups in NCT06234124
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Arm AB: Variable Friction Shoe Training, AFO TrainingExperimentalBaseline (T0), 12 weeks Variable Friction Shoe Training, Follow-up (T1), 2-week washout, Follow-up (T2), 12 weeks AFO Training, Follow-up (T3)
Receives: Device: Variable Friction Shoe Training; Device: Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) Training
Arm BA: Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) Training, Variable Friction Shoe TrainingExperimentalBaseline (T0), 12 weeks AFO Training, Follow-up (T1), 2-week washout, Follow-up (T2), 12 weeks Variable Friction Shoe Training, Follow-up (T3)
Receives: Device: Variable Friction Shoe Training; Device: Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) Training

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Walking Speed (Device Off)

    10 meter walk test (meters/second)

    Measured: 26 weeks

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Berg Balance Scale

    14 item objective measure designed to assess static balance and fall risk in adult populations. Items assessed include siting and standing balance during transfers, altered base of support, reaching, turning, eyes open and closed. Each item is scored 0 to 4 points for a maximum of 56 points.

    Measured: 26 weeks

  2. 6 Minute Walk Test

    The 6MWT measures the distance a subject can walk indoors on a flat, hard surface in a period of 6 minutes, using assistive devices, as necessary.

    Measured: 26 weeks

  3. Stroke Impact Scale

    The SIS is a validated measure of the impact of stroke on overall physical and cognitive function. This 59-item patient-based questionnaire assesses eight domains of stroke recovery: strength, mobility, communication, emotion, memory and thinking, participation, activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living (ADL/IADL) and hand function. An additional question requires the patient to rate their stroke recovery on a scale from 0 to 100. This measure instructs subjects to answer the question based on the period of time twofour weeks prior to the questionnaire

    Measured: 26 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted31 Jan 2024
  2. Study start3 Apr 2024
  3. Primary completionJan 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completionJun 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Model description
Randomized controlled clinical trial with a crossover design
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
50 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06234124
Sponsor's protocol ID
STU00219400
Other IDs
1R01HD112475-01
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
22 Jan 2024
Last updated
11 May 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Burridge JH, Taylor PN, Hagan SA, Wood DE, Swain ID. The effects of common peroneal stimulation on the effort and speed of walking: a randomized controlled trial with chronic hemiplegic patients. Clin Rehabil. 1997 Aug;11(3):201-10. doi: 10.1177/026921559701100303.

    PubMed 9360032
  • Bulley C, Mercer TH, Hooper JE, Cowan P, Scott S, van der Linden ML. Experiences of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) for foot-drop in people with multiple sclerosis. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2015 Nov;10(6):458-467. doi: 10.3109/17483107.2014.913713. Epub 2014 May 6.

    PubMed 24796365
  • Lee YS, Wang PY. Foot drop caused by a brain tumor: a case report. Acta Neurol Taiwan. 2009 Jun;18(2):130-1.

    PubMed 19673367
  • Stewart JD. Foot drop: where, why and what to do? Pract Neurol. 2008 Jun;8(3):158-69. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2008.149393.

    PubMed 18502948
  • Benjamin EJ, Virani SS, Callaway CW, Chamberlain AM, Chang AR, Cheng S, Chiuve SE, Cushman M, Delling FN, Deo R, de Ferranti SD, Ferguson JF, Fornage M, Gillespie C, Isasi CR, Jimenez MC, Jordan LC, Judd SE, Lackland D, Lichtman JH, Lisabeth L, Liu S, Longenecker CT, Lutsey PL, Mackey JS, Matchar DB, Matsushita K, Mussolino ME, Nasir K, O'Flaherty M, Palaniappan LP, Pandey A, Pandey DK, Reeves MJ, Ritchey MD, Rodriguez CJ, Roth GA, Rosamond WD, Sampson UKA, Satou GM, Shah SH, Spartano NL, Tirschwell DL, Tsao CW, Voeks JH, Willey JZ, Wilkins JT, Wu JH, Alger HM, Wong SS, Muntner P; American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2018 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2018 Mar 20;137(12):e67-e492. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000558. Epub 2018 Jan 31. No abstract available.

    PubMed 29386200
  • Lawrence ES, Coshall C, Dundas R, Stewart J, Rudd AG, Howard R, Wolfe CD. Estimates of the prevalence of acute stroke impairments and disability in a multiethnic population. Stroke. 2001 Jun;32(6):1279-84. doi: 10.1161/01.str.32.6.1279.

    PubMed 11387487
  • Barker WH, Mullooly JP. Stroke in a defined elderly population, 1967-1985. A less lethal and disabling but no less common disease. Stroke. 1997 Feb;28(2):284-90. doi: 10.1161/01.str.28.2.284.

    PubMed 9040676
  • Watkins CL, Leathley MJ, Gregson JM, Moore AP, Smith TL, Sharma AK. Prevalence of spasticity post stroke. Clin Rehabil. 2002 Aug;16(5):515-22. doi: 10.1191/0269215502cr512oa.

    PubMed 12194622
  • S. J. Olney and C. Richards, "Hemiparetic gait following stroke. Part I: Characteristics," Gait Posture, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 136-148, 1996.

  • Hyndman D, Ashburn A, Stack E. Fall events among people with stroke living in the community: circumstances of falls and characteristics of fallers. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2002 Feb;83(2):165-70. doi: 10.1053/apmr.2002.28030.

    PubMed 11833018
  • Bethoux F, Rogers HL, Nolan KJ, Abrams GM, Annaswamy TM, Brandstater M, Browne B, Burnfield JM, Feng W, Freed MJ, Geis C, Greenberg J, Gudesblatt M, Ikramuddin F, Jayaraman A, Kautz SA, Lutsep HL, Madhavan S, Meilahn J, Pease WS, Rao N, Seetharama S, Sethi P, Turk MA, Wallis RA, Kufta C. The effects of peroneal nerve functional electrical stimulation versus ankle-foot orthosis in patients with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2014 Sep;28(7):688-97. doi: 10.1177/1545968314521007. Epub 2014 Feb 13.

    PubMed 24526708
  • Everaert DG, Stein RB, Abrams GM, Dromerick AW, Francisco GE, Hafner BJ, Huskey TN, Munin MC, Nolan KJ, Kufta CV. Effect of a foot-drop stimulator and ankle-foot orthosis on walking performance after stroke: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2013 Sep;27(7):579-91. doi: 10.1177/1545968313481278. Epub 2013 Apr 4.

    PubMed 23558080
  • Bethoux F, Rogers HL, Nolan KJ, Abrams GM, Annaswamy T, Brandstater M, Browne B, Burnfield JM, Feng W, Freed MJ, Geis C, Greenberg J, Gudesblatt M, Ikramuddin F, Jayaraman A, Kautz SA, Lutsep HL, Madhavan S, Meilahn J, Pease WS, Rao N, Seetharama S, Sethi P, Turk MA, Wallis RA, Kufta C. Long-Term Follow-up to a Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Peroneal Nerve Functional Electrical Stimulation to an Ankle Foot Orthosis for Patients With Chronic Stroke. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2015 Nov-Dec;29(10):911-22. doi: 10.1177/1545968315570325. Epub 2015 Feb 4.

    PubMed 25653225
  • Ferreira LA, Neto HP, Grecco LA, Christovao TC, Duarte NA, Lazzari RD, Galli M, Oliveira CS. Effect of Ankle-foot Orthosis on Gait Velocity and Cadence of Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review. J Phys Ther Sci. 2013 Nov;25(11):1503-8. doi: 10.1589/jpts.25.1503. Epub 2013 Dec 11.

    PubMed 24396220
  • Hesse S, Uhlenbrock D, Sarkodie-Gyan T. Gait pattern of severely disabled hemiparetic subjects on a new controlled gait trainer as compared to assisted treadmill walking with partial body weight support. Clin Rehabil. 1999 Oct;13(5):401-10. doi: 10.1191/026921599673896297.

    PubMed 10498347

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Variable Friction Shoe Training and Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) Training in people with Stroke, run by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 14 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Joe Harris, DPT (312-238-8425, jharris2@sralab.org), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Walking Speed (Device Off) (time frame: 26 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06234124, which also lists 77 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 May 2026.

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