Research Participation

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.

 

Cardiovascular Health and Autonomic Dysfunction in Adults with Lower-Limb Amputation

Cardiovascular Health and Autonomic Dysfunction in

Adults with Lower-Limb Amputation

(The CHAAMP Study)

What is it?

The goal of this study is to explore relationships heart and blood vessel health and nervous system function after lower-limb amputation.

We are recruiting adults with below-knee amputation, as well as healthy adults without amputation or pain. This study has a Part and a Part 2, which is optional.

Part 1. If eligible, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire packet at home, and an in-person examination 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 ankle for 7 days after the onsite evaluation and then mail these back in a postage-paid envelope. Part 1 requires about 3 hours total and potential compensation is $110 in gift cards:

• Questionnaire Packet (completed at home): <1 hour
• Onsite Examination at a local clinic or the University of Delaware: <2 hours
• Activity Monitoring & Logs (completed from home): <10 minutes

Part 2. If you are within driving distance of the University of Delaware, you may choose to participate in a second onsite examination at the University of Delaware. This examination takes <1.5 hours and further evaluates your blood vessels and your heart using non-invasive tests, including ultrasound imaging of your heart. Participation in Part 2 provides an additional $100 in gift cards.

 

You may be eligible if…

• You have a below-knee amputation, and…
  • 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 toes).
  • Do not have any amputations of your arms (other than fingers).
  • Did not have your amputation due to a birth defect and do not use a prosthesis due to limb difference from birth.

 

You may be eligible if…

• You match an individual with limb amputation and…
  • Are 20-85 years-old.
  • Have no history of heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.
  • Have had no pain in the past week.

 

Potential Compensation:

• Up to $210 in gift cards for completion of Part 1 and Part 2.
• You have the option to participate in Part 1 ($110) and not Part 2 ($100).

 

Potential Onsite Data Collection Locations:

• University of Delaware, 540 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE
• Independence Prosthetics-Orthotics, Inc., Newark, Dover, Rehoboth Beach, Wilmington, DE; Philadelphia and Brookhaven, PA; Charlottesville, Fishersville, VA
• Dankmeyer Prosthetics-Orthotics, Linthicum, MD
• Allied OP, Mt Laurel, Sewell, Toms River, NJ; Philadelphia, Elkins Park, Bethlehem, PA
• Real-Life Prosthetics, Abingdon, MD
• Medical Center Orthotics & Prosthetics, Silver Spring, MD
• Wilmington VA

Please call (302) 831-7142 to be screened for participation

or access the link below to go directly to the study site for screening.

 

Study Link: https://redcap.chrc.udel.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=C4KP9DJLNF39MP99