The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) has issued five requests for O&P-related research funding proposals. The deadline for submitting the proposals is April 30.
AOPA will fund one grant in each of four topics in amounts of up to $60,000-$75,000. The topics are orthotic treatment for stroke patients, back bracing, osteoarthritis of the knee, and orthotic treatment for plagiocephaly in pediatric patients.
In partnership with the Center for O&P Learning & Evidence-Based Practice, AOPA is also accepting applications for pilot grants for up to $15,000-$30,000 for ten O&P topics, including an open topic (multiple grants will be funded). Areas for submission are:
· Outcome measures, evaluation of clinical benefit, and quality of life metrics related to orthotic management (submissions should be pathology and/or condition appropriate, e.g. stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, polio, osteoarthritis)
· Demonstrate methods to record primary health outcomes such as falls and lower back pain in people with amputations
· Functional impacts of vacuum-assisted socket suspension systems
· Documentation of therapeutic effects of spinal orthoses
· Stroke: Utilization and comparative effectiveness of custom versus off-the-shelf AFOs
· Measuring the impact of osteoarthritis knee brace use on community activity
· Retrospective analysis of goals versus outcomes in treatments of pediatric patients with plagiocephaly
· Study the origins/clinical goals and prevalence of current prosthesis prescribing patterns
· Microprocessor controlled knee and ankle joints—safety benefits for non-variable cadence (K-1, K-2) Ambulators. Study community outcomes of patients, such as activity, social interactions, depression, and anxiety
· Open topics
For more information, visit AOPA’s website or contact Yelena Mazur at ymazur@aopanet.org or 571.431.0876.
