Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06352788

From Opinion to Evidence: Multi-site Evaluation of Custom Dynamic Orthosis Best Practices

This study is designed to support evidence-based practice and optimal care by evaluating how different configurations of two types of carbon fiber custom dynamic orthoses (CDOs) influences outcomes following traumatic lower extremity injury.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Naval Medical Center San Diego - Clinical Biomechanics Laboratory, San Diego, California, United States

Loading trial locations.

About this study

This study is designed to evaluate how different configurations of two types of carbon fiber custom dynamic orthoses (CDOs) influence outcomes following traumatic lower extremity injury. In this study, adult participants who still experiencing deficits including weakness and/or immobility more than two years post traumatic lower extremity injury will be randomized and fit with either modular or monolithic CDO.

Participants will then be evaluated without a CDO and with the CDO in three configurations in a randomized order: a proposed optimal benchmark configuration, a variation with the device in more dorsiflexion, and a variation with the device in greater plantarflexion. Multiple well-established tests will be used to compare outcomes between the different configurations.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Between the ages of 18 and 65
  • 2 or more years from a traumatic injury below the knee
  • Ability to be fit with an orthosis
  • Any of the following:
  • Weakness of ankle plantarflexors (<4/5 on manual muscle test)
  • Limited pain-free ankle motion (dorsiflexion (DF) <10° or plantarflexion (PF) <20°)
  • Mechanical pain with loading to hindfoot/midfoot (>=4/10 Numerical pain rating scale)
  • Fusion or candidate for fusion of the ankle or hindfoot
  • Candidate for amputation secondary to ankle/foot injury and impairment

Exclusion criteria

  • Pain greater than 8/10 at rest
  • Ankle weakness or spasticity as a result of spinal cord injury or central nervous system pathology
  • Use of an orthosis including the knee
  • Non-ambulatory
  • Surgery on study limb anticipated in next 4 months
  • Medical or psychological conditions that would influence functional testing (e.g., severe traumatic brain injury, stroke, heart disease, vestibular disorder)
  • Neurologic, musculoskeletal, or other conditions limiting function of the contralateral extremity
  • Uncorrected visual or hearing impairments
  • Pregnancy
  • Non-English speaking
  • BMI > 40

Treatment and study plan

Modular Carbon Fiber Custom Dynamic Orthosis (CDO)

Device

The CDO will use a modular design that includes a full length foot plate, a posterior carbon fiber strut, and a proximal cuff that wraps around the leg just below the knee.

Other names: Reaktiv (Fabtech Systems LLC, Everett WA)

Mono Carbon Fiber Custom Dynamic Orthosis (CDO)

Device

The CDO will use a mono design that includes a full length foot plate, a posterior carbon fiber strut, and a proximal cuff that wraps around the leg just below the knee.

Other names: Posterior Spring (Bio-Mechanical Composites, Inc., Des Moines, IA)

Primary outcomes

  1. PROMIS Physical Function

    Time frame: Baseline

    The Patient Reported Outcome Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) is a computerized assessment measuring physical function. It is scored using a T-score in which 50 is the mean of a relevant reference population and 10 is the standard deviation (SD) of that population. In a given PROMIS domain, a T-score above 50 represents greater physical function than the population average. Larger scores are better.

  2. PROMIS Pain Interference

    Time frame: Baseline

    The Patient Reported Outcome Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) is a computerized assessment measuring pain interference. It is scored using a T-score in which 50 is the mean of a relevant reference population and 10 is the standard deviation (SD) of that population. In a given PROMIS domain, a T-score above 50 represents greater pain interference than the population average. Lower scores are better.

  3. OPUS Satisfaction with Device and Services

    Time frame: Baseline

    Satisfaction with device and services will be assessed using the Orthotics Prosthetics Users' Survey Satisfaction With Device and Services Score (11-55). Lower scores indicate a better outcome and more satisfaction with the CDO and accompanying services.

  4. Modified Socket Comfort Score - Comfort

    Time frame: Baseline

    Participants were asked to rate the comfort of each CDO configuration on a scale from 0-10 with 0 = most uncomfortable to 10 = most comfortable. Higher scores indicate more comfortable conditions, and are considered better.

  5. Modified Socket Comfort Score - Smoothness

    Time frame: Baseline

    Participants were asked to rate the smoothness of each CDO configuration on a scale from 0-10 with 0 = most smooth to 10 = least smooth. Lower scores indicate smoother conditions, and are considered better.

  6. Numerical Pain Rating Scale

    Time frame: Baseline

    Pain will be assessed using a standard 11-point numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), in which 0 = no pain and 10 = worst pain imaginable. Lower scores are considered better.

  7. Preference - Ranked

    Time frame: Baseline

    The participant will be asked to rank order the conditions they have completed testing for at each visit: at the 3rd visit they will rank order their preference for using no orthosis or using the CDO in the first configuration, at the 4th visit they will rank order their preference for using no orthosis, using the CDO in the first configuration, and using the CDO in the second configuration, at the 5th visit they will rank order their preference for using no orthosis, using the CDO in the first configuration, using the CDO in the second configuration, and using the CDO in the third configuration.

  8. Preference - CDO Configuration

    Time frame: Baseline

    For each CDO configuration, participants will be asked to rank their preference on a scale from 0 (least preferred) to 10 (most preferred) for a number of questions concerning CDO use. Higher scores indicate higher preferences and are considered better.

  9. Four Square Step Test (seconds)

    Time frame: Baseline

    The 4SST (seconds) is a standardized timed test of balance and agility. Participants start in the lower left quadrant of a Maltese cross setting on the floor and are timed as they move counterclockwise (forward, right, backward, left) and then clockwise (right, forward, left, backward) around the cross. Participants are instructed to move as quickly as they safely can. Lower times indicate faster completion of the test and are considered better results.

  10. Sit to Stand 5 Times (seconds)

    Time frame: Baseline

    STS5 (seconds) is a well-established timed measure of lower limb muscle strength and power. Participants are instructed to stand up and sit down 5 times as fast as possible. Lower scores indicate a faster time to complete the test and are considered better results.

  11. Center of Pressure Velocity Magnitude (m/s)

    Time frame: Baseline

    The center of pressure (CoP) is the centroid of the forces acting on the foot during gait. The magnitude of the peak center of pressure velocity (m/s) is the fastest the CoP moves during gait.

  12. Center of Pressure Velocity Timing (%stance)

    Time frame: Baseline

    The center of pressure (CoP) is the centroid of the forces acting on the foot during gait. The timing of the peak center of pressure velocity, is the percent of the stance phase (%stance) where the CoP is moving fastest during gait.

  13. Ankle Zero Moment Crossing (%stance)

    Time frame: Baseline

    The ankle zero moment crossing is the point during the stance phase of gait (%stance) where the ankle moment transitions from a dorsiflexion to a plantarflexion moment.

  14. Peak Ankle Dorsiflexion (degree)

    Time frame: Baseline

    Participants completed a biomechanical gait analysis session. Sagittal plane peak ankle joint dorsiflexion angle (degree) that occurs late in the stance phase of gait.

  15. Peak Ankle Plantarflexion Moment (Nm/kg)

    Time frame: Baseline

    Participants completed a biomechanical gait analysis session. Sagittal plane peak ankle joint plantarflexion moment normalized to participant body weight (Nm/kg) that occurs late in the stance phase of gait.

  16. Peak Ankle Push-Off Power (W/kg)

    Time frame: Baseline

    Participants completed a biomechanical gait analysis session. Sagittal plane peak ankle joint power normalized to body weight (W/kg) occurs late in the stance phase of gait.

Secondary outcomes

  1. PROMIS Satisfaction with Participation in Social Activities

    Time frame: Baseline

    The Patient Reported Outcome Information System (PROMIS) satisfaction with participation in social activities Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) is a computerized assessment measuring satisfaction with participation in social activities. It is scored using a T-score in which 50 is the mean of a relevant reference population and 10 is the standard deviation (SD) of that population. In a given PROMIS domain, a T-score above 50 represents greater participation in social activities than the population average, larger scores are considered better.

  2. PROMIS Satisfaction with Participation in Discretionary Social Activities

    Time frame: Baseline

    The Patient Reported Outcome Information System (PROMIS) satisfaction with participation in social activities Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) is a computerized assessment measuring satisfaction with participation in social activities. It is scored using a T-score in which 50 is the mean of a relevant reference population and 10 is the standard deviation (SD) of that population. In a given PROMIS domain, a T-score above 50 represents greater participation in discretionary social activities than the population average, larger scores are considered better.

  3. PROMIS Depression

    Time frame: Baseline

    The Patient Reported Outcome Information System (PROMIS) depression Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) is a computerized assessment measuring depression. It is scored using a T-score in which 50 is the mean of a relevant reference population and 10 is the standard deviation (SD) of that population. In a given PROMIS domain, a T-score above 50 represents greater levels of depression than the population average, lower scores are considered better.

Other outcomes

  1. Ankle Range of Motion (degrees)

    Time frame: Baseline

    Participants completed a biomechanical gait analysis session. Sagittal plane ankle range of motion (degrees) was measured throughout the gait cycle. Smaller range of motion is expected with each CDO.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Jason M Wilken, PT, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

319-335-6857

Molly S Pacha, MS, ATC, LAT

CONTACT

[email protected]

319-290-7596

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Jason Wilken

Other

Collaborators

  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center
  • Navy Medical Center San Diego
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Registry information

Acronym: AFOSVA

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2028
First posted
Apr 8, 2024
Registry last updated
Jan 15, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.