CClinicalTrials.gg
Enrolling by invitationNCT07781397PROTECTUpdated Aug 24, 2026

Prevention and Reduction of Falls: Testing and Evaluating Cutting Edge Haptic Technology

An interventional study of LIBERTY Patch and Sham Patch in Fall Risk, Fall Risk, Fall Prevention and Accidental Falls, sponsored by SuperPatch Limited LLC. Enrolling by invitation at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 55 Years to 85 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-24.

Sponsored by SuperPatch Limited LLC · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
150
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
55 Years to 85 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study evaluates whether a drug-free, non-invasive haptic patch (LIBERTY Patch) affects fall-risk classification and balance/mobility confidence in adults ages 55 to 85. Approximately 150 participants are assigned to wear either the active LIBERTY Patch or a visually identical sham patch daily for 7 days. Balance and mobility are assessed using the FallSkip wearable device and a Falls Efficacy Scale questionnaire at baseline and again after 7 days. Neither participants nor investigators know which patch is assigned during the study period, though this can be unblinded in an emergency.

Read the detailed description

The PROTECT Study is designed to classify participants into fall-risk categories and evaluate whether use of the LIBERTY Patch, a drug-free, non-invasive, investigational device employing Haptic Vibrotactile Trigger Technology, is associated with a change in fall-risk category or balance/mobility confidence relative to a sham (inactive) patch control.

After informed consent, participants complete a Baseline Survey (including the Falls Efficacy Scale, a 10-item instrument adapted from Tinetti et al., 1990, assessing confidence in performing daily activities without falling) and undergo a brief (2-3 minute) walking and mobility assessment using the FallSkip wearable device, worn at the waist, involving sitting, standing, walking several feet, and returning to a seated position. Participants are then given a study patch - either the active LIBERTY Patch or a visually identical sham patch - to wear daily. After 7 days, participants repeat the FallSkip mobility assessment and complete a Follow-Up Survey, which re-administers the Falls Efficacy Scale and adds items on patch satisfaction, ease of use, convenience, and any side effects experienced (hot/cold sensation, massage/tingling sensation, pressure sensation, or none). Neither the participant nor the investigator is informed of patch assignment during the study period, though the investigator can unblind in case of emergency. After the 7-day period, participants may optionally continue in the study using the alternate patch.

02

Conditions studied

  • Fall Risk
  • Fall Risk, Fall Prevention
  • Accidental Falls
  • Accidental Falls/Prevention & Control

Keywords

  • SuperPatch
  • LIBERTY
  • Haptic
  • Vibrotactile Trigger Technology
  • VTT
  • fall risk
  • fall prevention
  • accidental falls
  • balance
  • mobility
  • older adults
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
55 Years to 85 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Ages 55 to 85, inclusive
  • Able to provide written informed consent
  • Able to walk independently or with assistive devices
  • Lucid, with adequate cognitive ability to consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of severe neurological disorders (e.g., advanced Parkinson's, severe stroke history)
  • Known allergies to adhesives
  • Currently hospitalized
  • Use of drugs of abuse (illicit or prescription)
  • Severe visual/auditory impairments affecting gait or balance
  • Terminal illness or life expectancy less than 6 months
  • Severe dementia or cognitive impairment preventing consent
  • Ongoing physical therapy specifically targeting balance/gait
  • Post-stroke
  • Pregnant
  • Existing or planned implantation of a pacemaker or other electrical device
04

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Investigator)
Enrollment
150 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Active LIBERTY Patch (Vibrotactile/Haptic)

    Participants apply the active LIBERTY Patch (Haptic Vibrotactile Trigger Technology) daily for 7 days, with fall-risk/mobility assessment (FallSkip device) and Falls Efficacy Scale survey completed at baseline and Day 7.

    Device: LIBERTY Patch

  • Sham comparator
    Control (Sham Patch)

    Participants apply a visually identical sham patch without active technology daily for 7 days, with the same baseline and Day 7 assessments as the Active arm.

    Device: Sham Patch

Interventions

  • DeviceLIBERTY Patch

    A drug-free, non-invasive, investigational topical patch designed to assist with balance and mobility, worn daily for 7 days.

    Also known as: Haptic Vibrotactile Trigger Technology (VTT) Patch

  • DeviceSham Patch

    A visually identical patch without active technology, worn daily for 7 days under the same conditions as the active patch.

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in fall-risk/mobility assessment (FallSkip device)

    A 2-3 minute mobility assessment (sit-to-stand, walking, and return to seated position) using the FallSkip wearable device, comparing Active vs. Control groups.

    Time frame: Baseline and Day 7

  2. Change in Falls Efficacy Scale score

    A 10-item, self-reported scale (adapted from Tinetti et al., 1990) measuring confidence in performing daily activities (bathing, dressing, walking, transferring, etc.) without falling, scored 1 (very confident) to 10 (not confident at all) per item.

    Time frame: Baseline and Day 7

Secondary outcomes

  1. Incidence of patch-associated sensations/side effects

    Self-reported occurrence of hot/cold sensation, massage/tingling sensation, pressure sensation, or none, associated with patch use.

    Time frame: Throughout the 7-day study period, assessed at Day 7

06

Study locations

1 site
  • Anna Toker, MD
    Mansfield, Texas 76063, United States
07

References and documents

Publications

  • Fason J, Hurwitz P, Gudin J. Reducing Pain and Improving Mobility Using Haptic Patch Technology: Results of the RESTORE Study. Pain Ther. 2025 Dec;14(6):1797-1807. doi: 10.1007/s40122-025-00780-0. Epub 2025 Oct 8. PubMed 41057672 ↗
  • Tinetti ME, Richman D, Powell L. Falls efficacy as a measure of fear of falling. J Gerontol. 1990 Nov;45(6):P239-43. doi: 10.1093/geronj/45.6.p239. PubMed 2229948 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be shared. This is a minimal-additional-risk, single-site-network study in an at-risk elderly population (ages 55-85) evaluating an investigational, non-significant-risk device, conducted under a HIPAA Authorization and Advarra IRB oversight. Participant health data are used and disclosed only to the parties specified in the informed consent (the sponsor, Clarity Science, LLC, Advarra IRB, and applicable regulatory authorities) for purposes of conducting this study. Given the population's potential vulnerability (older adults, some with mobility impairment) and the narrow consented scope of data use, de-identified data sharing beyond these parties was not part of the consent framework, consistent with the study's HIPAA Authorization.

08

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07781397
Lead sponsor
SuperPatch Limited LLC
Collaborators
Clarity Science LLC
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Aug 24, 2026
Start date
Jun 16, 2025
Primary completion
Dec 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Dec 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Aug 24, 2026

Oversight

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

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