Tests a variable friction shoe for foot drop after stroke
Tests a low-cost shoe for foot drop in adults recovering from stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Characterization and Clinical Trial of a Variable Friction Shoe
Key facts
- Where
- Chicago, United StatesSee the site
Where in United States
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLabChicago, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
- Trial code
- NCT06234124
- Record updated
- 11 May 2026
- Original description
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 full original descriptionShow less
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.
Inclusion: 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; 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).
Exclusion: History of falling more than once a week prior to the stroke; Not currently receiving botox to the lower extremities; 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; Co-morbidity that interferes with the study (e.g. significant arthritis or joint problems, history of back injury, neuromuscular disorders, epilepsy, etc.); 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); Severe deficits in cognition or communication; Pregnant women (status determined by self-reporting); Severe Osteoporosis (status determined by self-reporting); Prisoners.