ClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT05293743Updated May 22, 2025Results posted

Novel Dynamic Foot Abduction Bar for Treatment of Clubfoot

An interventional study of Foot abduction bracing for clubfoot with novel Dynamic Bar and Foot abduction bracing for clubfoot with Standard Bar in Clubfoot, sponsored by The Hospital for Sick Children. Completed at 1 site in Canada. Open to participants aged 1 Year to 3 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-05-22.

Sponsored by The Hospital for Sick Children · Not applicable, Interventional, and Device feasibility

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Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
17
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
1 Year to 3 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate a new Dynamic Bar for foot abduction bracing for clubfoot treatment. The main questions that this study aims to answer are:

  • How easy is it to recruit and retain participants for a randomized-controlled effectiveness trial of a novel foot abduction bar?
  • How does parental perception of child comfort in the Dynamic Bar compare to parental perception of child comfort in standard bars?
  • How does patient tolerance of the Dynamic Bar compare patient tolerance of standard bars?
  • How effective is the Dynamic Bar at preventing clubfoot recurrence during the bracing phase when the brace is worn as prescribed for a 30-day trial period?

Each participant will be randomized into one of two arms: the experimental arm or the control arm. For the first 30 days, the experimental arm will wear the new Dynamic Bar with standard boots and the control arm will continue wearing their standard bar. After this 30-day period, the experimental arm will return to wearing their standard bar.

Read the detailed description

This is an assessor-blinded randomized feasibility trial assessing the feasibility of conducting a large-scale clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a new dynamic bar for foot abduction bracing for clubfoot treatment. Feasibility will be determined by the ability to recruit patients within the goal study period and to retain participants. Eligible patients must have a well-corrected idiopathic clubfoot (Pirani Score ≤ 0.5) and be in the minimum 12 hours per day bracing stage of the Ponseti clubfoot treatment protocol. The overall study period will be 90 days in length. For the first 30 days, the experimental cohort will wear the new Dynamic Bar (DB) with standard ankle-foot orthoses (boots) and the control cohort will continue wearing their Standard Bar (SB). After this 30-day period, the experimental cohort will return to wearing their SB.

All patients will be evaluated on Day 0, Day 7, Day 30, and Day 90 of the study period to monitor for recurrence of the clubfoot deformity, complications of brace wearing, to submit brace wear logs, and to complete parent-reported questionnaires regarding their perceptions of the Foot Abduction Brace (FAB) and their child's comfort. A minimum of 10 patients per arm will be recruited. A temperature sensor will be added in each participant's boots during the 90-day study period to objectively measure time of brace wear. It is hypothesized that when patients are wearing the DB, they will experience higher brace tolerance defined as increased wear time of the brace as measured by the temperature sensors, and higher comfort levels as reported by parents, without an increase in clubfoot deformity recurrence compared to the SB.

Most patient information that will be reviewed in this study is data being collected and stored per the REB-approved Clubfoot Research Registry protocol (REB #1000053919). All patients enrolled in study this will also be enrolled in Clubfoot Research Registry, if not already enrolled.

The novel DB is designed by the research team and allows independent movement of the knees and hips while maintaining a corrective position of the foot.

02

Conditions studied

  • Clubfoot

Browse trials for

03

In context

Clubfoot

69 studies on the registry are indexed under Clubfoot; 15 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 17 is below the median of 38 across 40 interventional studies indexed under Clubfoot.

Browse Clubfoot studies →

Lead sponsor

The Hospital for Sick Children is the lead sponsor of 578 studies on the registry; 83 are open to participants now.

Of its 7 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 1 (14%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
1 Year to 3 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  1. Ability of parent/care giver to complete brace wear log/surveys in English
  2. Diagnosis of idiopathic clubfoot (unilateral or bilateral).
  3. Current use of a SB with their Foot Abduction Brace.
  4. In the minimum 12-hour per day bracing stage of the Ponseti treatment
  5. Aged 1 to 3 years (as the DB prototype was designed based on the average size and strength of a child within that age group).
  6. Well-corrected clubfoot/clubfeet (Pirani score ≤ 0.5)
  7. Enrollment in the SickKids Clubfoot Research Registry.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Recurrent clubfoot deformity at time of recruitment and/or Day 0 in study period: Pirani score above 0.5; Presence of cavus, adduction, or hindfoot varus; Less than 10 degrees of passive ankle dorsiflexion.
  2. Current complaint of significant brace intolerance.
  3. Any condition or diagnosis, that could in the opinion of the Principal Investigator or delegate interfere with the participant's ability to comply with study instructions, might confound the interpretation of the study results, or put the participant at risk, i.e., skin conditions such as eczema, neurologic conditions or any non-idiopathic clubfoot, any acute or chronic illness perceived to be causing the child discomfort such as a cold or flu or other concurrent painful procedure.
  4. The patient does not adequately fit the available prototype, e.g., shoulder width distance is too narrow or wide for prototype bar width. However, these patients will be recorded in the study enrollment log to identify the size of this subset. The age and fit issues of these patients will also be recorded to allow future adaptations of the new DB to accommodate this subset.
  5. The patient is using an older boot model, in which a temperature sensor cannot be inserted, and the patient does not adequately fit the available boots, in which the temperature sensors have already been installed.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Device feasibility
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
17 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Standard Bar

    This group will continue using the Standard Bar as part of their brace, per their current treatment.

    Device: Foot abduction bracing for clubfoot with Standard Bar

  • Experimental
    Dynamic Bar

    This group will use the Dynamic Bar for 30 days instead of their Standard Bar.

    Device: Foot abduction bracing for clubfoot with novel Dynamic Bar

Interventions

  • DeviceFoot abduction bracing for clubfoot with novel Dynamic Bar

    After Ponseti treatment of serial casting and tenotomy for clubfoot, patients are braced full time x 3 months then night time until age 5. This study compares standard bars in a foot abduction brace to our novel Dynamic Bar. This group uses the Dynamic Bar.

  • DeviceFoot abduction bracing for clubfoot with Standard Bar

    After Ponseti treatment of serial casting and tenotomy for clubfoot, patients are braced full time x 3 months then night time until age 5. This study compares standard bars in a foot abduction brace to our novel Dynamic Bar. This group uses the Standard Bar.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Recruitment of Patients for a Prospective Trial Comparing Clubfoot Brace Types

    The study's recruitment rate was calculated to evaluate the ease of recruiting participants for a randomized-controlled effectiveness trial of a novel foot abduction bar. A recruitment rate less than 50% is considered a poor indicator for ease of recruitment and protocols for a future study should be revisited to improve recruitment strategies.

    Time frame: Recruitment period lasted approximately 8 months.

  2. Retention of Patients for a Prospective Trial Comparing Clubfoot Brace Types

    The dropout rate was calculated to evaluate the ease of retaining participants for a randomized-controlled effectiveness trial of a novel FAB bar. A dropout rate greater than 20% is considered a poor indicator for ease of participant retention.

    Time frame: Study period lasted approximately 90 days.

  3. Parent Satisfaction in a Prospective Trial Comparing Clubfoot Brace Types

    On the first day of the study, parents were asked in a questionnaire if they had any concerns about participating in the study. On the last day of the study, parents were asked if they would be interested in participating in a future study of the Dynamic Bar. These questions were asked to evaluate the ease of achieving parent satisfaction during a randomized-controlled effectiveness trial of a novel FAB bar.

    Time frame: Study period lasted approximately 90 days.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Parental Perception of Child Comfort - How the Dynamic Bar Compares to the Standard Bar

    On the last day of the study, parents in the experimental arm were asked in a questionnaire how they thought the Dynamic Bar compared to their original bar, regarding their child's comfort. This was asked to compare parental perception of child comfort in the Dynamic Bar to the Standard Bar.

    Time frame: Study period lasted approximately 90 days.

  2. Parental Perception of Child Comfort - Preferred Bar

    Parents in the experimental arm were asked to indicate their preferred bar for clubfoot bracing at two different points during the study. This was asked to compare parental perception of child comfort in the Dynamic Bar to the Standard Bar.

    Time frame: Parents were asked to indicate their preferred bar for clubfoot bracing at the end of the study's intervention period (after approximately 30 days) and on the last day of the study (after approximately 90 days).

  3. Parental Perception of Child Comfort - If Child Had a Hard Time Returning to the Standard Bar After Wearing the Dynamic Bar

    On the last day of the study period, parents in the experimental arm were asked in a questionnaire if their child had a hard time returning to the Standard Bar after wearing the Dynamic Bar for approximately 30 days. This was asked to compare parental perception of child comfort in the Dynamic Bar to the Standard Bar.

    Time frame: Study period lasted approximately 90 days.

  4. Parental Perception of Child Comfort - Comparison of 5-point Likert Scale Responses

    On the first day of the study period, parents in the experimental arm were asked about their child's comfort in the Standard Bar, their child's ability to move their feet/legs normally in the Standard Bar, and their satisfaction with the weight, shape, and size of the Standard Bar. Following the study's intervention period, parents in the experimental arm were asked the same questions about the Dynamic Bar. Average survey responses were then compared in order to compare parental perception of child comfort in the Dynamic Bar to the Standard Bar. Possible survey answers ranged from strongly disagree/very unsatisfied (1) to strongly agree/very satisfied (5). A higher score indicates a more positive perception of the bar.

    Time frame: Intervention period lasted approximately 30 days.

  5. Patient Tolerance of Bracing - Experimental Arm vs. Control Arm - Overall Average

    Each patient's brace wear was recorded by parent-report brace logs and iButton temperature sensors in order to compare patient tolerance of the Standard Bar to the Dynamic Bar. For each patient, a bracing adherence fraction was calculated by dividing their average number of daily bracing hours by their prescribed number of daily bracing hours. The average adherence fraction in the experimental arm was compared to the average adherence fraction in the control arm during the study's intervention period. Under normal circumstances, the intervention period was the time between the patient's Day 0 visit and Day 30 visit, as that is the period in which patients in the experimental arm should be wearing the Dynamic Bar. However, if a patient in the experimental arm broke the Dynamic Bar and had to return to the Standard Bar during this period, those days were not included in the intervention period. This analysis aims to assess if bar type significantly affects bracing tolerance

    Time frame: Intervention period lasted approximately 30 days.

  6. Patient Tolerance of Bracing - Dynamic Bar vs. Standard Bar (Experimental Arm Only) - Overall Average

    Each patient's brace wear was recorded by parent-report brace logs and iButton temperature sensors in order to compare patient tolerance of the Standard Bar to the Dynamic Bar. For each patient, a bracing adherence fraction was calculated by dividing their average number of daily bracing hours by their prescribed number of daily bracing hours. Since patients in the experimental arm used both the Dynamic Bar and the Standard Bar during the study period, their average adherence fraction when wearing the Dynamic Bar was compared to their average adherence fraction when wearing the Standard Bar over the entire study period. This analysis aims to assess if bar type significantly affects bracing tolerance.

    Time frame: Experimental arm used the Dynamic Bar for approximately 30 days, then used the Standard Bar for approximately 60 days

  7. Patient Tolerance of Bracing - Dynamic Bar vs. Standard Bar (Experimental Arm Only) - N of 1

    Each patient's brace wear was recorded by parent-report brace logs and iButton temperature sensors in order to compare patient tolerance of the Standard Bar to the Dynamic Bar. For each patient, a bracing adherence fraction was calculated by dividing their average number of daily bracing hours by their prescribed number of daily bracing hours. Since patients in the experimental arm used both the Dynamic Bar and the Standard Bar during the study period, their average adherence fraction when wearing the Dynamic Bar was compared to their average adherence fraction when wearing the Standard Bar over the entire study period. This analysis aims to assess if bar type significantly affects bracing tolerance.

    Time frame: Experimental arm used the Dynamic Bar for approximately 30 days, then used the Standard Bar for approximately 60 days

  8. Number of Clubfoot Recurrences During the Study Period

    All clubfoot recurrences that occurred during the study period were tracked to perform a preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of the Dynamic Bar at preventing clubfoot recurrence. For this analysis, clubfoot recurrence was pre-defined as a Pirani score \> 0.5, a new occurrence of cavus, adduction and/or hindfoot varus, or a loss of passive ankle dorsiflexion (equinus) of \< 10 degrees above neutral or a reduction of 5 or more degrees from the previous visit. All adverse adverse events that were deemed "unrelated" to the foot abduction bar, per the blinded outcomes assessor, were omitted from this analysis. The null hypothesis is that 'the Dynamic Bar does not lead to higher rates of clubfoot recurrence,' and it will be rejected if the number of patients who wore their FAB as prescribed and develop clubfoot recurrence, is substantially greater in the experimental arm than it is in the control arm (i.e. a difference of more than 2 cases).

    Time frame: Study period lasted approximately 90 days.

Other outcomes

  1. Video Data Analysis - Comparing the Range of Motion Provided by the Dynamic Bar vs. Standard Bar

    Parents were given the option of consenting to video recordings being taken of the patient's feet and legs while wearing their prescribed bar. These videos were closely studied to compare the range of motion provided by the Standard Bar to the Dynamic Bar, and to verify that the Dynamic Bar consistently maintains proper foot position and leg alignment during use.

    Time frame: Each video recording was approximately 2 minutes in length.

07

Results

Posted Nov 25, 2024
Limitations and caveats
Recruitment closed early, due to limited hospital resources, leading to a small number of subjects analyzed. Several large discrepancies were noted between the iButton sensor data and the brace log data. This calls into question the reliability of iButton sensors in accurately measuring brace wear in clubfoot treatment. Additionally, the sensors only recorded the temperature every 45 minutes due to limited data storage; this increases the error associated with the brace wear calculations.

Participant flow

Participants were recruited at the Clubfoot Clinic in the Hospital for Sick Children between August 2022 and March 2023. The first participant was enrolled on August 17, 2022, and the last participant was enrolled on February 15, 2023.

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneControl ArmExperimental Arm
Started57
Completed47
Not completed10
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject10

Outcome measures

PrimaryRecruitment of Patients for a Prospective Trial Comparing Clubfoot Brace Types

The study's recruitment rate was calculated to evaluate the ease of recruiting participants for a randomized-controlled effectiveness trial of a novel foot abduction bar. A recruitment rate less than 50% is considered a poor indicator for ease of recruitment and protocols for a future study should be revisited to improve recruitment strategies.

Time frame:
Recruitment period lasted approximately 8 months.
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Recruitment of Patients for a Prospective Trial Comparing Clubfoot Brace Types
ParticipantsExpected Number of Patients RecruitedActual Number of Patients Recruited
Recruitment of Patients for a Prospective Trial Comparing Clubfoot Brace Types5917
PrimaryRetention of Patients for a Prospective Trial Comparing Clubfoot Brace Types

The dropout rate was calculated to evaluate the ease of retaining participants for a randomized-controlled effectiveness trial of a novel FAB bar. A dropout rate greater than 20% is considered a poor indicator for ease of participant retention.

Time frame:
Study period lasted approximately 90 days.
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Retention of Patients for a Prospective Trial Comparing Clubfoot Brace Types
ParticipantsExpected Number of DropoutsActual Number of Dropouts
Retention of Patients for a Prospective Trial Comparing Clubfoot Brace Types06
PrimaryParent Satisfaction in a Prospective Trial Comparing Clubfoot Brace Types

On the first day of the study, parents were asked in a questionnaire if they had any concerns about participating in the study. On the last day of the study, parents were asked if they would be interested in participating in a future study of the Dynamic Bar. These questions were asked to evaluate the ease of achieving parent satisfaction during a randomized-controlled effectiveness trial of a novel FAB bar.

Time frame:
Study period lasted approximately 90 days.
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Parent Satisfaction in a Prospective Trial Comparing Clubfoot Brace Types
ParticipantsControl ArmExperimental Arm
First day: Parents asked if they had concerns about participating in the study. — Strongly Disagree13
First day: Parents asked if they had concerns about participating in the study. — Disagree34
First day: Parents asked if they had concerns about participating in the study. — Unsure00
First day: Parents asked if they had concerns about participating in the study. — Agree00
First day: Parents asked if they had concerns about participating in the study. — Strongly Agree00
Last day: Parents asked if they would be interested in participating in a future study. — Strongly Disagree00
Last day: Parents asked if they would be interested in participating in a future study. — Disagree00
Last day: Parents asked if they would be interested in participating in a future study. — Unsure01
Last day: Parents asked if they would be interested in participating in a future study. — Agree21
Last day: Parents asked if they would be interested in participating in a future study. — Strongly Agree25
SecondaryParental Perception of Child Comfort - How the Dynamic Bar Compares to the Standard Bar

On the last day of the study, parents in the experimental arm were asked in a questionnaire how they thought the Dynamic Bar compared to their original bar, regarding their child's comfort. This was asked to compare parental perception of child comfort in the Dynamic Bar to the Standard Bar.

Time frame:
Study period lasted approximately 90 days.
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Parental Perception of Child Comfort - How the Dynamic Bar Compares to the Standard Bar
ParticipantsExperimental Arm
Much less comfortable0
Less comfortable0
Equally comfortable0
More comfortable4
Much more comfortable3
SecondaryParental Perception of Child Comfort - Preferred Bar

Parents in the experimental arm were asked to indicate their preferred bar for clubfoot bracing at two different points during the study. This was asked to compare parental perception of child comfort in the Dynamic Bar to the Standard Bar.

Time frame:
Parents were asked to indicate their preferred bar for clubfoot bracing at the end of the study's intervention period (after approximately 30 days) and on the last day of the study (after approximately 90 days).
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Parental Perception of Child Comfort - Preferred Bar
ParticipantsExperimental Arm
Parent asked to indicate their preferred bar at the end of the study's intervention period. — Standard Bar0
Parent asked to indicate their preferred bar at the end of the study's intervention period. — Unsure2
Parent asked to indicate their preferred bar at the end of the study's intervention period. — Dynamic Bar5
Parent asked to indicate their preferred bar at the end of the study's intervention period. — Other0
Parent asked to indicate their preferred bar on the last day of the study. — Standard Bar0
Parent asked to indicate their preferred bar on the last day of the study. — Unsure1
Parent asked to indicate their preferred bar on the last day of the study. — Dynamic Bar6
Parent asked to indicate their preferred bar on the last day of the study. — Other0
SecondaryParental Perception of Child Comfort - If Child Had a Hard Time Returning to the Standard Bar After Wearing the Dynamic Bar

On the last day of the study period, parents in the experimental arm were asked in a questionnaire if their child had a hard time returning to the Standard Bar after wearing the Dynamic Bar for approximately 30 days. This was asked to compare parental perception of child comfort in the Dynamic Bar to the Standard Bar.

Time frame:
Study period lasted approximately 90 days.
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Parental Perception of Child Comfort - If Child Had a Hard Time Returning to the Standard Bar After Wearing the Dynamic Bar
ParticipantsExperimental Arm
Strongly Disagree2
Disagree2
Unsure1
Agree2
Strongly Agree0
SecondaryParental Perception of Child Comfort - Comparison of 5-point Likert Scale Responses

On the first day of the study period, parents in the experimental arm were asked about their child's comfort in the Standard Bar, their child's ability to move their feet/legs normally in the Standard Bar, and their satisfaction with the weight, shape, and size of the Standard Bar. Following the study's intervention period, parents in the experimental arm were asked the same questions about the Dynamic Bar. Average survey responses were then compared in order to compare parental perception of child comfort in the Dynamic Bar to the Standard Bar. Possible survey answers ranged from strongly disagree/very unsatisfied (1) to strongly agree/very satisfied (5). A higher score indicates a more positive perception of the bar.

Time frame:
Intervention period lasted approximately 30 days.
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Parental Perception of Child Comfort - Comparison of 5-point Likert Scale Responses
score on a scaleExperimental Arm Using Standard BarExperimental Arm Using Dynamic Bar
Child comfort in bar4.3 (3 to 5)4.6 (4 to 5)
Ability to move feet/legs normally in bar3.4 (1 to 5)4.4 (3 to 5)
Parent satisfaction with weight of bar4.0 (3 to 5)3.9 (2 to 5)
Parent satisfaction with shape of bar3.9 (3 to 5)4.3 (3 to 5)
Parent satisfaction with size of bar3.9 (2 to 5)4.6 (4 to 5)
SecondaryPatient Tolerance of Bracing - Experimental Arm vs. Control Arm - Overall Average

Each patient's brace wear was recorded by parent-report brace logs and iButton temperature sensors in order to compare patient tolerance of the Standard Bar to the Dynamic Bar. For each patient, a bracing adherence fraction was calculated by dividing their average number of daily bracing hours by their prescribed number of daily bracing hours. The average adherence fraction in the experimental arm was compared to the average adherence fraction in the control arm during the study's intervention period. Under normal circumstances, the intervention period was the time between the patient's Day 0 visit and Day 30 visit, as that is the period in which patients in the experimental arm should be wearing the Dynamic Bar. However, if a patient in the experimental arm broke the Dynamic Bar and had to return to the Standard Bar during this period, those days were not included in the intervention period. This analysis aims to assess if bar type significantly affects bracing tolerance

Time frame:
Intervention period lasted approximately 30 days.
Reported as:
Mean · Average Adherence Fraction
Patient Tolerance of Bracing - Experimental Arm vs. Control Arm - Overall Average
Average Adherence FractionControl ArmExperimental Arm
Parent-reported brace logs1.01 ± 0.140.97 ± 0.06
iButton temperature sensors1.03 ± 0.150.91 ± 0.07
Statistical analysis
  • Control Arm vs Experimental Arm · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.67 (The threshold for statistical significance was p = 0.05.)Degrees of Freedom = 3.82.
  • Control Arm vs Experimental Arm · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.23 (The threshold for statistical significance was p = 0.05.)Degrees of Freedom = 3.70.
SecondaryPatient Tolerance of Bracing - Dynamic Bar vs. Standard Bar (Experimental Arm Only) - Overall Average

Each patient's brace wear was recorded by parent-report brace logs and iButton temperature sensors in order to compare patient tolerance of the Standard Bar to the Dynamic Bar. For each patient, a bracing adherence fraction was calculated by dividing their average number of daily bracing hours by their prescribed number of daily bracing hours. Since patients in the experimental arm used both the Dynamic Bar and the Standard Bar during the study period, their average adherence fraction when wearing the Dynamic Bar was compared to their average adherence fraction when wearing the Standard Bar over the entire study period. This analysis aims to assess if bar type significantly affects bracing tolerance.

Time frame:
Experimental arm used the Dynamic Bar for approximately 30 days, then used the Standard Bar for approximately 60 days
Reported as:
Mean · Average Adherence Fraction
Patient Tolerance of Bracing - Dynamic Bar vs. Standard Bar (Experimental Arm Only) - Overall Average
Average Adherence FractionExperimental Arm Using the Standard BarExperimental Arm Using the Dynamic Bar
Parent-reported brace logs0.96 ± 0.090.97 ± 0.06
iButton temperature sensors0.78 ± 0.240.91 ± 0.07
Statistical analysis
  • Experimental Arm Using the Standard Bar vs Experimental Arm Using the Dynamic Bar · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.86 (The threshold for statistical significance was p = 0.05.)Degrees of Freedom = 6.68.
  • Experimental Arm Using the Standard Bar vs Experimental Arm Using the Dynamic Bar · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.21 (The threshold for statistical significance was p = 0.05.)Degrees of Freedom = 6.94.
SecondaryPatient Tolerance of Bracing - Dynamic Bar vs. Standard Bar (Experimental Arm Only) - N of 1

Each patient's brace wear was recorded by parent-report brace logs and iButton temperature sensors in order to compare patient tolerance of the Standard Bar to the Dynamic Bar. For each patient, a bracing adherence fraction was calculated by dividing their average number of daily bracing hours by their prescribed number of daily bracing hours. Since patients in the experimental arm used both the Dynamic Bar and the Standard Bar during the study period, their average adherence fraction when wearing the Dynamic Bar was compared to their average adherence fraction when wearing the Standard Bar over the entire study period. This analysis aims to assess if bar type significantly affects bracing tolerance.

Time frame:
Experimental arm used the Dynamic Bar for approximately 30 days, then used the Standard Bar for approximately 60 days
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Patient Tolerance of Bracing - Dynamic Bar vs. Standard Bar (Experimental Arm Only) - N of 1
ParticipantsExperimental Arm - Wore the Standard Bar More Than the Dynamic BarExperimental Arm - Wore the Dynamic Bar More Than the Standard Bar
Parent-reported brace logs23
iButton temperature sensors25
SecondaryNumber of Clubfoot Recurrences During the Study Period

All clubfoot recurrences that occurred during the study period were tracked to perform a preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of the Dynamic Bar at preventing clubfoot recurrence. For this analysis, clubfoot recurrence was pre-defined as a Pirani score \> 0.5, a new occurrence of cavus, adduction and/or hindfoot varus, or a loss of passive ankle dorsiflexion (equinus) of \< 10 degrees above neutral or a reduction of 5 or more degrees from the previous visit. All adverse adverse events that were deemed "unrelated" to the foot abduction bar, per the blinded outcomes assessor, were omitted from this analysis. The null hypothesis is that 'the Dynamic Bar does not lead to higher rates of clubfoot recurrence,' and it will be rejected if the number of patients who wore their FAB as prescribed and develop clubfoot recurrence, is substantially greater in the experimental arm than it is in the control arm (i.e. a difference of more than 2 cases).

Time frame:
Study period lasted approximately 90 days.
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Number of Clubfoot Recurrences During the Study Period
ParticipantsControl ArmExperimental Arm
All patients20
Patients with fair brace compliance per logs and sensors (+/- 1 hr of the prescribed range per day)10
Other pre-specifiedVideo Data Analysis - Comparing the Range of Motion Provided by the Dynamic Bar vs. Standard Bar

Parents were given the option of consenting to video recordings being taken of the patient's feet and legs while wearing their prescribed bar. These videos were closely studied to compare the range of motion provided by the Standard Bar to the Dynamic Bar, and to verify that the Dynamic Bar consistently maintains proper foot position and leg alignment during use.

Time frame:
Each video recording was approximately 2 minutes in length.
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Video Data Analysis - Comparing the Range of Motion Provided by the Dynamic Bar vs. Standard Bar
ParticipantsControl Arm Using Standard BarExperimental Arm Using Dynamic Bar
Patients that were noted to achieve normal developmental motor skills during video recording.47
Patients that were noted to achieve intermittent ankle plantarflexion during video recording.12
Post-hocBreakages and Malfunctions of the Dynamic Bar Prototype

To refine the design of the Dynamic Bar prototype for future use, the study team documented all bar breakages/malfunctions that occurred during the study period.

Time frame:
Each patient in the experimental arm used the Dynamic Bar for approximately 30 days. Most Dynamic Bars were only used by one patient, but two Dynamic Bars were used by two patients each.
Reported as:
Number · cases observed
Breakages and Malfunctions of the Dynamic Bar Prototype
cases observedBreakages and Malfunctions of the Dynamic Bar
Participant pinched their finger in the pin-slot mechanism (this prompted immediate bar redesign)1
Ball joint popped out of socket in ball joint linkage (this prompted immediate bar redesign)3
End caps on the L brackets were torn by the participant2
Crossbar snapped in two1
Wear was observed on the brass components in the ball joint linkages6

Adverse events

Collected over Adverse Event (AE) data was collected at each study visit over the entire study period, which lasted for approximately 3 months per participant.. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Control Arm Using Standard Bar0/4 (0%)0/4 (0%)3/4 (75%)
Experimental Arm Using Experimental Bar Then Standard Bar0/7 (0%)0/7 (0%)4/7 (57.1%)
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventControl Arm Using Standard BarExperimental Arm Using Experimental Bar Then Standard Bar
Pressure sore, skin rash, and/or rednessSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders2/43/7
Development of mild MTP adductionMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders1/41/7
Development of mild dynamic supinationMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders1/40/7
Decreased eversion strengthMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders1/40/7
Decreased passive dorsiflexionMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders1/40/7
Decreased external foot progression angleMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders1/40/7
Pinched finger in foot abduction barProduct Issues0/41/7

Baseline characteristics

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(months)Control ArmExperimental ArmTotal
Mean24.9 (16 to 36)27.6 (15.5 to 46.5)26.6 (15.5 to 46.5)
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Control ArmExperimental ArmTotal
Female022
Male459
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected(Participants)Control ArmExperimental ArmTotal
Count of participants——0
Diagnosis
Diagnosis(Participants)Control ArmExperimental ArmTotal
Unilateral idiopathic clubfoot358
Bilateral idiopathic clubfoot123
Height
Height(cm)Control ArmExperimental ArmTotal
Mean87.7 (81.5 to 95)89.9 (80.5 to 105)89.1 (80.5 to 105)
Weight
Weight(kg)Control ArmExperimental ArmTotal
Mean13.5 (11 to 15.8)13.9 (10.8 to 19.9)13.8 (10.8 to 19.9)
08

Study locations

1 site
  • The Hospital for Sick Children
    Toronto, Ontario M5G1X8, Canada
09

References and documents

Publications

  • Anand A, Sala DA. Clubfoot: etiology and treatment. Indian J Orthop. 2008 Jan;42(1):22-8. doi: 10.4103/0019-5413.38576. PubMed 19823650 ↗
  • Alves C. Bracing in clubfoot: do we know enough? J Child Orthop. 2019 Jun 1;13(3):258-264. doi: 10.1302/1863-2548.13.190069. PubMed 31312265 ↗
  • Hospital for Special Surgery [Internet]. New York: HSS. Method for Correcting Clubfoot: Overview for Parent; 2019 Sept 12 [cited 2021 Jan 11] Available from: https://www.hss.edu/conditions_thse-ponseti-method-for-clubfoot-correction.asp.
  • Garg S, Porter K. Improved bracing compliance in children with clubfeet using a dynamic orthosis. J Child Orthop. 2009 Aug;3(4):271-6. doi: 10.1007/s11832-009-0182-9. Epub 2009 Jun 3. PubMed 19495824 ↗
  • SickKids Internal Document. CLUBFOOT FAO BAR OPTIONS June 2017 edited. 2017 June.
  • Azarpira MR, Emami MJ, Vosoughi AR, Rahbari K. Factors associated with recurrence of clubfoot treated by the Ponseti method. World J Clin Cases. 2016 Oct 16;4(10):318-322. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v4.i10.318. PubMed 27803913 ↗
  • Zhao D, Liu J, Zhao L, Wu Z. Relapse of clubfoot after treatment with the Ponseti method and the function of the foot abduction orthosis. Clin Orthop Surg. 2014 Sep;6(3):245-52. doi: 10.4055/cios.2014.6.3.245. Epub 2014 Aug 5. PubMed 25177447 ↗
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons [Internet]. Illinois: AAOS. Study Finds Ponseti Method Remains an Effective Treatment for Clubfoot, Bracing Is Paramount; 2021 Jan 18 [cited 2021 May 25] Available from: https://www.aaos.org/aaosnow/2020/aaos-now-special-edition/research/662_pediatrics.
  • Gelfer Y, Wientroub S, Hughes K, Fontalis A, Eastwood DM. Congenital talipes equinovarus: a systematic review of relapse as a primary outcome of the Ponseti method. Bone Joint J. 2019 Jun;101-B(6):639-645. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.101B6.BJJ-2018-1421.R1. PubMed 31154846 ↗
  • Morgenstein A, Davis R, Talwalkar V, Iwinski H Jr, Walker J, Milbrandt TA. A randomized clinical trial comparing reported and measured wear rates in clubfoot bracing using a novel pressure sensor. J Pediatr Orthop. 2015 Mar;35(2):185-91. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000000205. PubMed 24787312 ↗
  • Aroojis A, Pandey T, Dusa A, Krishnan AG, Ghyar R, Ravi B. Development of a functional prototype of a SMART (Sensor-integrated for Monitoring And Remote Tracking) foot abduction brace for clubfoot treatment: a pre-clinical evaluation. Int Orthop. 2021 Sep;45(9):2401-2410. doi: 10.1007/s00264-021-05042-0. Epub 2021 Apr 22. PubMed 33885922 ↗
  • Sangiorgio SN, Ho NC, Morgan RD, Ebramzadeh E, Zionts LE. The Objective Measurement of Brace-Use Adherence in the Treatment of Idiopathic Clubfoot. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2016 Oct 5;98(19):1598-1605. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.16.00170. PubMed 27707845 ↗
  • Masrouha KZ, Moses MJ, Sala DA, Litrenta J, Lehman WB, Chu A. The Validity of Patient-reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Parent Proxy Instruments to Assess Function in Children With Talipes Equinovarus. J Pediatr Orthop. 2019 Nov/Dec;39(10):e787-e790. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000001368. PubMed 30913133 ↗
  • Varni JW, Limbers CA, Burwinkle TM. How young can children reliably and validly self-report their health-related quality of life?: an analysis of 8,591 children across age subgroups with the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2007 Jan 3;5:1. doi: 10.1186/1477-7525-5-1. PubMed 17201920 ↗
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Study documents

PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No — We do not plan on sharing this data with other researchers.

10

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Ran from Aug 2022 to primary completion in May 2023, 9 months.

Results were first posted in Nov 2024, 1 year 6 months after primary completion.

Of 20 interventional studies with no phase under Clubfoot, half reached primary completion within 11 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 9 and three quarters within 37. This study's 9 months is below that.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Oct 31, 2021
First posted
Mar 24, 2022
StartActual
Aug 17, 2022
Primary completionActual
May 24, 2023
CompletionActual
May 24, 2023
Results first posted
Nov 25, 2024
Last update
May 22, 2025
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on May 22, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05293743
Responsible party
Maryse Bouchard (Assistant Professor, The Hospital for Sick Children) — Principal investigator
First posted
Mar 24, 2022
Start date
Aug 17, 2022
Primary completion
May 24, 2023
Completion
May 24, 2023
Results posted
Nov 25, 2024
Last update
May 22, 2025

Study contacts

Maryse Bouchard, MD
principal investigator · The Hospital for Sick Children

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is completed, as verified in May 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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Discussion

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