NCT05347875 Implementation of an App-based Walking Aid Skills Training Program
| NCT ID | NCT05347875 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of Calgary |
| Condition | Lower Limb; Sprain (Strain) |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 52 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-06-01 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-06-01 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 52 participants in total. It began in 2024-06-01 with a primary completion date of 2026-06-01.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
Walking aids (WA), such as crutches, canes, and walkers allow individuals to move independently after lower body impairment. Improper WA use may lead to upper body discomfort, pain, or injury. Improper WA use has been associated with increased risk of falls, which may result in traumatic brain injury or even death. WA-related accidents and injuries may not only affect an individual patient's quality of life; they may also increase healthcare system resource use and caregiver burden. WA-related injuries may be preventable if WA are properly fit and sufficient training is provided to the WA user. Smartphone applications (apps) are widely used technologies that have been used to improve health outcomes in populations of healthy and chronically ill individuals. We have developed an app that can be used to teach WA users how to properly fit and use their devices. This app is called Improving Canadians' Walking Aid skills, Learning, and Knowledge (ICanWALK©). The development of the Walking Aids Skills Test© (WAST©) allows for the objective measurement of how well an individual uses their walking aid. It is important to develop such a measurement in order to see whether interventions such as mobile applications change a walking aid user's ability to walk with their device. This 12-item objective evaluation measures the ability of an individual to use their walking aid in different settings, while picking up an object off the ground, navigating stairs, or encountering terrains such as gravel or grass. Three hypotheses will be explored through this clinical trial. Hypothesis 1: Patients who use the ICanWALK© app will have improved balance confidence compared to the control group. Hypothesis 2: Patients who use the ICanWALK© app will have improved balance, improved mobility, less pain, and fewer falls compared to the control group. Hypothesis 3: The WAST© will have an inter-rater reliability of 70% (k=0.85).
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * patient at a study site currently using walking aids \>75% of their ambulatory time * age 18-99 Exclusion Criteria: * currently using a wheelchair \>25% of their ambulatory time * cannot comfortably communicate in English or French * history of significant cognitive or visual impairment that would affect their ability to use the app interventions * unable to give voluntary informed consent
Contact & Investigator
Ranita Manocha, MD, MSc
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
University of Calgary
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT05347875 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 99 Years, studying Lower Limb; Sprain (Strain). Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT05347875 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT05347875 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at ranita.manocha@ucalgary.ca for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT05347875 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Calgary, Canada, Québec, Canada.
Who is sponsoring the NCT05347875 clinical trial?
NCT05347875 is sponsored by University of Calgary. The principal investigator is Ranita Manocha, MD, MSc at University of Calgary. The trial plans to enroll 52 participants.