The Center for Orthotics and Prosthetics Learning and
Outcomes/Evidence-Based Practice (the Center) has announced its recommended
recipients for a second round of research grant awards for clinical research in
O&P which was approved by the board of directors of the American Orthotic
and Prosthetic Association (AOPA).
A request for proposals was circulated earlier this year with an April
30 deadline for responses. Awards of up to $7,500 are being made to three
primary investigators from three different institutions for projects related to
vacuum-assisted socket suspension systems, prosthetic socket interface
pressure, and lower limb orthotic movement. Funds to support these grants and
the identification of subject areas for research were provided by AOPA.
The following projects and awardees were recommended by a vote of the
entire board of the center, which is comprised of one individual from each of
the eight separate not-for-profit organizations in the O&P field as well as
a representative from the University of Utah School of Medicine and a
representative from the Science Applications International Corporation:
- A Pilot Study – Outcomes Assessment of Vacuum Assisted Socket
Systems submitted by Sam Phillips, PhD, CP, Tampa Veterans Research and
Education Foundation; - A Pilot Project – Investigation of Prosthetic Socket Interface
Pressure: Effects of Suspension Types and Socket Alignment submitted by Fan
Goa, PhD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas; and - A Pilot Project – Exploiting Lower Limb Orthotic Constraint of
Movement as a Strategy for Neuromuscular Recalibration submitted by Christopher
Hovorka, MS, CPO, LPO, FAAOP, School of Applied Physiology, Georgia Institute
of Technology, Atlanta.
“In this second round of funding, the Center is moving forward with
its commitment to undertaking important scientific research in some crucial
areas of the O&P field,” William Barringer, CO, president of the board
for the center. “We are proud to breaking new ground in O&P outcomes
research as we move forward with these three projects for 2010.”
