Somatosensation Device Trial

Testing of the Somatosensation Device (SD) for Device Effectiveness While Enhancing Feedback in Lower Extremities

This research is being done to test a new device, called the Somatosensation Device, with people who have either a below knee amputation, or neuropathy (i.e. decreased sensation) in their legs. When people have lost sensation in their feet, it may make walking and balance more difficult. The Somatosensation Device is designed to substitute the loss of feeling in a foot by pressing on nerves on the surface of the leg. It presses on the nerves by using a pneumatic balloon to put pressure on your skin. If people receive this extra sensation feedback, it may help improve their walking and balance.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Have a below-knee amputation (either unilateral or bilateral) or neuropathy in their lower limbs.
• Ability to wear the somatosensation device on their lower limbs
• Ability to wear test equipment and heart rate monitors.
• Ability to follow simple directions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of severe back pain in the last 3 months.
• History of severe knee pain in the last 3 months.
• Unable to walk for 3 minutes with or without an assistive device
• Poor skin integrity (i.e open wounds, skin breakdown) that could be made worse by wearing the somatosensation device.