Balance4Mobility: Effects of Walkasins Use in Individuals With Peripheral Neuropathy and Balance Problems

A randomized cross-over study of short-term, in-clinic effects of Walkasins use, conducted at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) and published in PLOS ONE, found clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in gait speed and functional balance in patients with SPN using Walkasins. The authors stated that "findings suggest new sensory balance cues provided to the lower limb can modulate the activity of relevant nerve afferents and become integrated into sensorimotor control of balance and gait."

In 2020 a multi-site clinical trial of the long-term effects of daily Walkasins use (walk2Wellness, ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT03538756) was published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. After 10 weeks of Walkasins use, this long-term study demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) and gait speed, which is associated with a lower fall risk. The authors concluded that "a wearable sensory prosthesis may provide a new way to treat gait and balance problems and manage falls in high fall-risk patients with PN."

Most recently, an analysis of data from 26 weeks of Walkasins use in the walk2Wellness trial showed that "participants who reported falls over 6 months prior to the study had a 43% decrease in fall rate during the study as compared to self-report 6-month pre-study (11.8 vs. 6.7 falls/1000 patient days, respectively, p <0.004), similar to the 46% decrease reported after 10 weeks of use."

The present study involves an assessment of Walkasins through a randomized, controlled trial with a primary endpoint of 26 weeks. Furthermore, this study will enroll only individuals 55 and older with a goal of including participants that reflect the Medicare population to support payer reimbursement for Walkasins.

The objectives of this study are as follows:

• Reflect real-world use of Walkasins in a Medicare-representative population who have sensory peripheral neuropathy and associated gait and balance problems and who would be eligible for a prescription to use the device.

• Investigate the impact of Walkasins use on relevant clinical outcomes associated with gait and physical function.

• Demonstrate based on patient reporting that Walkasins improves awareness of foot placement on the ground indicating partial replacement of plantar mechanoreceptor function, lost due to peripheral neuropathy.

• Investigate whether plantar monofilament testing at levels <10g (5.07, LOPS) are associated with gait and balance issues. Is there a Loss Of Balance Sensation (LOBS) threshold that is <10g? The monofilament test protocol should include plantar sites across the foot since differences in anteroposterior and/or mediolateral sensitivity may cause balance issues.

• Compare the rate of injurious falls between a group of Walkasins users and non-users over a six-month period.