DoD Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes Research Award
The OPORP Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes Research Award (OPORA) is being offered for the first time in FY14. It is intended to support research that evaluates the comparative effectiveness of and functional outcomes associated with prosthetic and orthotic clinical interventions and/or other rehabilitation interventions for Service Members and Veterans who have undergone limb salvage or limb amputation. The goal is to improve our understanding of and ultimately advance the implementation of the most effective prescriptions for prosthetic and orthotic devices, treatment, rehabilitation, and secondary health effect prevention options for patients, clinicians, other caregivers, and policymakers. Proposed projects should be designed to provide outcomes data regarding orthotic and prosthetic devices, and/or related clinical interventions and must include the anticipated effect on patient care metrics. Collaboration with military researchers and clinicians is encouraged, as are joint Department of Defense (DoD)-VA studies, including longitudinal outcome studies. Studies are sought that: • Compare different patient care approaches. • Include patient-centric outcome assessments. • Have the potential to generate new knowledge that can be developed into new clinical practice guidelines, and/or new prescription algorithms for prosthetic and orthotic devices. • Have the potential to develop new technology for improved prosthetic and orthotic devices, therefore improving patient outcomes. • Provide information on quality of life, reintegration, and/or return to duty/return to work as it pertains to those patients who use a prosthetic or orthotic device due to limb trauma. All applications must demonstrate direct relevance to Service Members and Veterans with traumatic extremity injury and/or amputation using prosthetics and orthotic devices. Examples of studies that are appropriate for submission to the FY14 OPORA include, but are not limited to, examination of the long-term functional and patient-centered outcomes associated with: • The specific time points in the course of patient treatment where prosthetic and orthotic intervention is the most effective. • Different treatment algorithms to determine the most appropriate prosthetic/orthotic device. • The effect of different orthotic and/or prosthetic devices on achievement of maximal functional ability. • Development of outcomes evaluating the prevention of secondary adverse consequences of prosthetic and orthotic device use, including but not limited to falls, skin breakdown, loss of balance. • Improvement of current prosthetic and orthotic materials and techniques to improve quality of life and health outcomes for patients with limb trauma or limb loss. • Development of new materials and technologies for use in orthotics and prosthetics to improve quality of life and health outcomes for patients with limb trauma or limb loss. • Application of specific rehabilitation interventions to accelerate the time, course, or extent of functional outcomes in Service Members and Veterans using prosthetic and orthotic devices. Studies may also be proposed that consider outcome factors related to health care delivery and clinical decision-making such as cost, accessibility, adoption of medical policy, and patient preferences. Studies should have a clinical focus and may include methodologies and designs such as surveys, retrospective data analyses, simulation modeling, longitudinal observation, cross sectional observation, case control, or qualitative research study designs. Animal studies are not allowed under this award mechanism. Research Scope: Research proposed under the FY14 OPORA may include small- to large-scale projects and be at different stages of idea and research development including efficacy studies, effective comparison studies, human use, observational studies, and clinical trials. Two different funding levels, based on the scope of the research, are available under this Program Announcement/Funding Opportunity. Clinical research and clinical trials will be considered for both funding levels. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (PI) to select the funding level that is most appropriate for the proposed research project. The following are general descriptions, although not all-inclusive, of the scope of research projects that would be appropriate to propose under each funding level: • Funding Level 1: Research that is already supported by preliminary data and has the potential to make significant advancements toward clinical translation. • Funding Level 2: Advanced translational studies that have the potential for near-term clinical investigation.
Office: U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity
301-682-5507
