The Center for Orthotics and Prosthetics Learning and Outcomes/Evidence-Based Practice (COPL) has announced its recommended recipients for a second round of research grant awards for clinical research in O&P. The recommended recipients were approved by the board of directors of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA). According to a COPL press release, awards of up to $7,500 are being made to three primary investigators from three different institutions. Funds to support these grants and the identification of subject areas for research were provided by AOPA.
The following projects and awardees were recommended by a vote of the entire COPL board, which is comprised of one individual from each of the eight separate not-for-profit organizations in the O&P field as well as a representative from the University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, and a representative from the Science Applications International Corporation, headquartered in McLean, Virginia:
- A pilot study-Outcomes Assessment of Vacuum-Assisted Socket Systems, submitted by Sam Phillips, PhD, CP, principal investigator, Tampa Veterans Research and Education Foundation, Florida.
- A pilot project-Investigation of Prosthetic-Socket-Interface Pressure: Effects of Suspension Types and Socket Alignment, submitted by Fan Goa, PhD, principal investigator, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
- A pilot project-Exploiting Lower Limb Orthotic Constraint of Movement as a Strategy for Neuromuscular Recalibration submitted by Christopher Hovorka, MS, CPO, LPO, FAAOP, principal investigator, School of Applied Physiology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta.
“In this second round of funding, the Center is moving forward with its commitment to undertaking important scientific research in some crucial areas of the O&P field,” said William Barringer, CO, president of COPL board. “We are proud to breaking new ground in O&P outcomes research as we move forward with these three projects for 2010.”
For more information, contact Steven Rybicki at srybicki@AOPAnet.org or call 571.431.0835.
