Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Innovative Shoe for People With Foot Drop

Do you have foot drop and wish walking was easier? Researchers at Queen Margaret University are testing a new, specially designed shoe to see if it can help reduce tripping and make walking more comfortable. They need about 15 people aged 18 and over who have experienced foot drop for at least six months and can walk for two minutes. Participants will wear the new shoes for six weeks, continue with their usual aids, and visit the university for some walking tests before and after this period. You'll also wear a small device to track your activity and share your thoughts on the shoes. Your involvement could help improve future designs for many people with foot drop.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Queen Margaret University

Enrolment target

Start

20 Jun 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2025

Foot Drop

What is this study about?

If you have foot drop, you know that walking can be tricky and there's a higher chance of tripping. This can make everyday activities feel much harder. Researchers at the Health Design Collective (HDC) have created a new shoe that they hope will make walking easier and safer for people with foot drop. Some people who have tried an early version of the shoe have told the research team that it made walking feel simpler, and was also comfortable and not bulky.

However, to be sure that this new shoe really helps, the researchers need to gather more scientific information. This small study, involving only 15 people, is an important first step. The results from this study will help them plan a larger study in the future. The main goal is to find out if the new shoe can help reduce foot drop and improve how people walk.

Your participation in this study is very important because it will help others in the future. By sharing your experience and allowing researchers to measure your walking, you'll be contributing to knowledge that could lead to better solutions for people living with foot drop. If you find the shoes helpful during the study, you'll even get to keep them afterwards!

Key takeaways

Test a new shoe designed to help with foot drop.
Study involves wearing shoes for 6 weeks and 2 visits to Queen Margaret University.
All travel expenses to the university will be covered.
Your involvement could help improve future designs for people with foot drop.
You get to keep the shoes if you find them useful after the study.
You can stop participating at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To be able to take part in this study, you need to be at least 18 years old and have been diagnosed with foot drop by a health professional for six months or more. You should be able to walk at least 6 metres (about the length of a small room), even if you use a walking stick or other aid. You also need to be able to understand what the study is about and agree to take part.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have severe swelling in your legs (lymphoedema), have had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the last six months, or have severe skin problems on your feet where the shoe would sit. Also, if you’ve had a recent change in your medication or treatment for walking issues in the last three months, or if you have difficulty moving your ankle by at least 10 degrees, this study might not be right for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you had foot drop for at least 6 months?
Can you walk at least 6 metres (about 20 feet), even with a walking aid?
Do you have enough movement in your ankle to wear a special shoe?
Do you not have severe leg swelling, recent DVT, or severe skin problems on your feet?
Have your foot drop medications or treatments stayed the same for the last 3 months?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the study will last about six weeks. First, you'll wear a small activity tracker on your leg for seven days (you can wear it while sleeping, but take it off for bathing). After this, you'll visit Queen Margaret University in Musselburgh, where you'll be fitted with the new shoes. You'll then wear these shoes for six weeks, continuing to use any foot supports or walking aids you normally do. During this time, you'll keep a simple diary of any falls you might have.

Before you start wearing the shoes and again after the six weeks, you'll visit Queen Margaret University for some walking tests. These tests involve walking briefly with and without a special strap on the shoe that helps with foot drop. The researchers will also use special cameras and small, sticky markers on your legs to get a very detailed picture of how you walk. You'll complete a couple of short questionnaires at home about your health and daily activities. After the six weeks, you’ll have a chat with the researchers, either in person or remotely, to share your thoughts on the new shoes. All your travel costs to and from the university will be paid back to you.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study offers the chance to try a new kind of shoe that might make your walking easier and more comfortable. While some people who tried an early version found it helpful, it’s possible you might not experience the same benefits. The new shoes might feel a bit unusual at first and could take some time to get used to, or they might even cause some discomfort. The research team will be there to support you throughout the six weeks to make sure you are safe and pain-free. If you experience any problems with the shoes, you should stop wearing them and contact the researchers. The walking tests might be a bit tiring, but you can rest whenever you need to. You are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and it won't affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Queen Margaret University
Verified postcode
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is foot drop?

Foot drop is when you have difficulty lifting the front part of your foot, so it might drag on the ground when you walk, making you trip.

Will I have to stop using my current foot supports?

No, you should continue to use any existing foot supports or walking aids that you normally rely on throughout the study.

How long will I wear the new shoes?

You will wear the new shoes for a period of six weeks as part of the study.

Do I have to travel to Edinburgh?

Yes, you will need to travel to Queen Margaret University in Musselburgh, Scotland, for two appointments, but all your travel expenses will be paid back to you.

What happens if the shoes don't work for me?

If you find the shoes uncomfortable or they don't help, you should stop wearing them and tell the research team. You are free to leave the study at any time.

How to find out more

Vicki Cameron, BSc, PhD

vcameron@qmu.ac.uk +447846087592 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.