Pedorthic Research Grant

The Pedorthic Research Grant was established to provide financial assistance for research that seeks to further academic, clinical, and laboratory evidence-based Pedorthics. Pedorthic Research Grants often focus on subject areas including, but not limited to, lower extremity biomechanics, foot and ankle orthoses, footwear, and footwear modifications.

Grant support will be open to all researchers at recognized academic university institutions. Projects are chosen based on their relevancy, impact to our profession, and scientific rigour.

Pedorthic Research Grants provide funding up to $10,000 for successful applicants (one per year) and are funded by member support from the Pedorthic Association of Canada.

Please download the Application and Request For Proposal (RFP) by clicking the link above, or email prfcgrants@gmail.com for more information.

About Us

 

Pedorthic Research Grants are administered by the Research Grant Committee, an arm of the Pedorthic Association of Canada (PAC) dedicated to the advancement of scholarly research supporting best-practices in the field of pedorthics. Pedorthics is a healthcare profession concerned with the biomechanics of the lower extremity which utilizes orthoses, footwear, and supportive devices to address conditions which affect the feet and lower limbs. Pedorthists are part of the allied healthcare team that works to help patients recover from injuries and pain due to overuse.

Grant Committee

 

Maclean Graydon M. Sc., C. Ped. (C) – co-chair (2010-present)

Kathleen Klement MClSc-WH, C. Ped. (C) – co-chair (2019-present)

Michael Ryan Ph. D., C. Ped. (C) (2016-present)

Arian Sasani M. Sc., C. Ped. (C) (2023-present)

Sandy Michalik C. Ped. (C) (2023-present)

Scientific Review Committee

 

The scientific review panel will evaluate all eligible proposals and create a shortlist. This panel is comprised of academics and healthcare professionals with intimate knowledge and expertise in a myriad of relevant areas. The panel will make a recommendation for funding to the PRFC Board of Directors in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in the RFP.

  • Karl Heinz-Schott
  • Corrie Weames, C. Ped (C)
  • Anne Putnam, C. Ped (C)
  • Steven Mann, M.D.
  • Breanne Everett, M.D.
  • Reed Ferber, PhD

Pedorthic Research Grants (provided by the former Pedorthic Research Foundation of Canada – PRFC)

 

2021 (Multiple grants this year)

Magali Brousseau-Foley (PhD candidate) – Development of a Decision Support Offloading Intervention to Improve Shared Decision Making among Individuals with Diabetic Foot

Ulcer and Clinicians

Sara Havashinezhadian – The Influence of SubTalar Joint Morphology and Wedged Orthotics on Knee Mechanics — an In Vivo Imaging Study

Kelly Robb – Revisiting Plantar Heel Pain Within the Neuromotor Paradigm: a 12-week Textured Foot Orthoses Randomized Controlled Trial

2018

Calvin Tse (PhD candidate) and Michael Hunt, MD at UBC – Predicting biomechanical responders to laterally wedged insoles with and without arch support for medial knee osteoarthritis. To determine a set of clinically-available assessments to produce a predictive model for identifying biomechanical responders (reduction in KAM) and non-responders

2017

Kelly Robb (PhD candidate) and Stephen Perry,  MD at Wilfrid Laurier University

Understanding the sensory system’s role in modulating muscle activity. The addition of texture to orthotics serves as one mechanism to manipulate mechanoreceptors; the cutaneous receptors located in the skin of the plantar sole of the foot. More specifically, texture serves to facilitate receptor activity, and consequently increase their response rate to the textured stimuli.

2016

Lauren Welte (PhD candidate) and Michael Rainbow, MD at Queen’s University – This project examines feet with plantar fasciitis, with and without orthotics using bi-planar video x-ray. “Changes in arch mechanics for individuals with plantar fasciitis using orthoses.” In this proposal we outline a pilot study to understand the effects of orthoses on arch energy and tie functional joint health assessment to patient reported outcomes using an exciting new technology housed in an ambulatory patient care centre.

2015 

Kyra Kane (PhD candidate) – Evidence to guide clinical decision-making in the prescription of ankle foot orthoses for children with spastic cerebral palsy and equinus gait offers insight into the optimal angle at which to position the ankle within an AFO, which may reduce the need for adjustments of the AFO after fitting.

2014

Judit Takacs (PhD candidate) and Michael Hunt, MD – A randomized cross-over study to assess the biomechanical and clinical changes associated with wearing two different orthotic designs (lateral wedge combined medial longitudinal arch and lateral wedge) in people with medial tibiofemoral osteoarthritis and concomitant pronated feet. This study will produce important knowledge to guide pedorthic practice and provide sufferers with knee osteoarthritis effective solutions to combat pain and dysfunction.