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Improving Physical Activity with a Data-Analyzing Smart Insole that Assesses Root Causes of Chronic Pain and Physical Inactivity

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Advances in Neuroergonomics and Cognitive Engineering (AHFE 2021)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems ((LNNS,volume 259))

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Abstract

Chronic lower body pain is a pervasive problem in the United States and globally. People with flat feet are more likely to experience plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, calluses, corns, blisters, bunions, hammertoes, shin splints, among many other ailments. If untreated, these issues may develop into more serious injuries and chronic pain. Physical inactivity due to chronic pain predisposes to a cluster of metabolic diseases. Low-fit individuals especially benefit from increasing physical activity. LAAF - Live Active and Agony Free - addresses the important role of physical activity in reducing mortality risk for individuals with chronic pain by enabling a healthy and active lifestyle. LAAF insoles provide comfort and support while analyzing gait, improving posture and alignment, and tracking fitness metrics. Data from the insoles is compared to normative gait data using algorithms to create user-specific reports in real-time. The LAAF mobile app connects users to caregivers, articles, and personalized exercises. Monitoring of these parameters is essential in the management of chronic pain and sedentary lifestyle. Management and prevention of chronic foot pain using current standards of care methods remains a challenge. LAAF Inc. has developed a smart wearable device with a mobile app to monitor and manage chronic pain as an effective strategy in reducing foot pain and increasing physical activity.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by LAAF Inc. a health technology startup established in April 2020 in Delaware, USA. The authors would like to thank the LAAF Inc team, Embedded Systems Engineers Ali Shafiq Malik, Rizwan Saleem, Rumshaa Yunus; Stash Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Mobile App Developers; Health Informatics and Business Systems Analyst interns from George Brown Technical College, Toronto, Canada; the National Incubator Center Islamabad, Pakistan, for allowing us to use their facility and mentors, especially Merai Syed for UI/UX design. We gratefully acknowledge LAAF advisors, Aneela Fazal, Materials, Portland, OR, USA; Qaizar Hassonjee, Smart Wearables, Chadds Ford, PA, USA; Dr. Zachary Hauser, Premier Orthopedics, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dr. Yasar Ayaz Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, National University of Science & Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan; Firefly Orthoses, Ireland, UK; and many others who freely provided advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LAAF Inc., Health Care Innovation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Meher Khan

  2. LAAF Inc., Data Analyst, CyberVision, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Zain Hussain

  3. LAAF Inc., Accounting and Finance, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Faasel Khan

Authors
  1. Meher Khan
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  2. Zain Hussain
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  3. Faasel Khan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Meher Khan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Hasan Ayaz

  2. School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan

    Umer Asgher

  3. DIGITAL – Institute for Information and Communication Technologies, Graz, Austria

    Lucas Paletta

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Khan, M., Hussain, Z., Khan, F. (2021). Improving Physical Activity with a Data-Analyzing Smart Insole that Assesses Root Causes of Chronic Pain and Physical Inactivity. In: Ayaz, H., Asgher, U., Paletta, L. (eds) Advances in Neuroergonomics and Cognitive Engineering. AHFE 2021. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 259. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80285-1_40

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80285-1_40

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-80284-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-80285-1

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