Research Participation
Be a Part of Developing Research!
IPO has partnered with leading facilities at the forefront of amputee research. We are currently partnered with the University of Delaware in patient recruitment for ongoing amputee research studies. Below are details of the individual research studies we are currently seeking volunteers for to collect data.
Your participation is valuable in developing knowledge available and the future of prosthetics.
If you have any questions or would like to be scheduled, please contact Samantha Stauffer, CPO
Email: sstauffer@IndependencePO.com
Phone: (302) 369-9476
Lower Back Pain Study
LOWER BACK PAIN STUDY
What is it?
The goal of this study is to explore relationships between low back pain and function among adults with above- and below-knee limb loss. We are recruiting adults with above- or below-knee amputation who have low back pain of ≥3 months and adults without low back pain for comparison.
If eligible, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire packet at home, and an in-person evaluation that includes assessment of your walking, tolerance to pressure, and ultrasound imaging of your low back muscles. Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to see your muscles and has no known risks to humans. We will ask you to wear an activity monitor around your prosthetic ankle for 7 days after the onsite evaluation and then mail this back in a postage-paid envelope. We will also ask you to recomplete some of the questionnaires 7-10 days later from your home.
You may be eligible if…
- You have an above-knee OR below-knee amputation…
- Are 18-85 years-old.
- Are able to walk with a prosthesis.
- Do not have any amputation of the opposite leg (other than toe amputations).
Time Commitment: ~3 hours
- Questionnaire Packet (can be completed at home via your computer or we can send a packet in the mail): 45 minutes-1 hour
- Onsite Examination: <1.5 hours (at your Independence P-O office)
- Recomplete Questionnaires: <30 minutes
Potential Compensation:
- Up to $60 in gift cards
Please call (302) 831-7142 during business hours (Monday – Friday, 8 am to 5 pm) to be screened for participation or CLICK HERE to go directly to the study site.
Heart Health Study
HEART HEALTH STUDY
The goal of this study is to explore how changes in the nervous system after lower-limb amputation affect heart disease risk, sleep, and pain. We are recruiting adults with below-knee amputation.
If eligible, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire packet at home, and an in-person evaluation that includes assessment of your nervous system activity, your sensitivity to pressure and heat, and ultrasound imaging of the blood vessels of your neck and legs. Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to see how your blood flows and has no known risks to humans. We will ask you to wear activity monitors around your wrist and prosthetic ankle for 7 days after the onsite evaluation and then mail these back in a postage-paid envelope. We will also ask you to recomplete some of the questionnaires 7-10 days later from your home.
You may be eligible if…
- You have a below-knee amputation…
- Are 20-85 years-old.
- Have no history of heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.
- Do not have any amputation of the opposite leg (other than toe amputations) or arms (other than finger amputations).
Time Commitment: ~3 hours
- Questionnaire Packet (can be completed at home via your computer or we can send a packet in the mail): 45 minutes-1 hour
- Onsite Examination: ~2 hours (at your Independence P-O office)
- Recomplete Questionnaires: <20 minutes
Potential Compensation:
- Up to $110 in gift cards
Please call (302) 831-7142 during business hours (Monday – Friday, 8 am to 5 pm) to be screened for participation or CLICK HERE to go directly to the study site.