Project Grant R43HD121341

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development awarded Results Group, LLC $305,904 on August 1, 2026, under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.865) to develop and test FLYBAND-PEDS, an exoskeleton-integrated high-top sneaker designed for pediatric patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

FLYBAND-PEDS embeds a thin-walled, motorless exoskeleton within sneaker construction layers to provide ankle-foot orthosis-level support while maintaining comfort, minimizing visual distinction from standard footwear, and reducing interference with daily activity and freedom of motion. The Phase I effort includes decentralized gait study testing of pediatric prototypes and human-factors interviews with families, where multiple members often carry CMT diagnoses. This award addresses a documented 10-year gap between disease onset and initiation of current bracing treatment, aiming to enable earlier intervention that reduces maladaptive gait patterns and supports attainment of developmental growth milestones.

Results Group developed working prototypes through prior NIDILRR funding and reported positive responses from children with CMT and healthcare specialists during preliminary testing. The award runs through July 31, 2027, with place of performance in Glastonbury, Connecticut. Results Group is a small disadvantaged business with demonstrated federal experience in exoskeleton-integrated rehabilitation technologies across military and civilian health applications.