2025 | Track 2 | Soft Robotic Compression Socks for Musculoskeletal Support and Fatigue Reduction in Frontline Nurses
TRACK 2 SEED GRANT | Whole Health Consortium
Soft Robotic Compression Socks for Musculoskeletal Support and Fatigue Reduction in Frontline Nurses
Funding for this project is generously provided by the Whole Health Consortium in collaboration with Carilion Clinic.
TEAM:
- Eonyou Shin, PhD — Associate Professor, School of Design, Virginia Tech
- Alan Asbeck, PhD — Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech
- Robin Queen, PhD — Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Tech
- Tyler Willson, MD — Associate Program Director, Family Medicine, Carilion Clinic
- Jessica Nicholson, MAT — Director of Outreach, Community & Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)
- Kimberly Carter, PhD — Consultant, Carilion Clinic
Frontline nurses endure physically demanding work that involves prolonged standing, rapid movement, and repetitive strain during long clinical shifts. These conditions contribute to high rates of lower‑leg fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and chronic injury, which in turn affect well‑being, job satisfaction, and workforce sustainability. This Track II project addresses these challenges by developing soft robotic compression socks that provide dynamic, personalized lower‑leg support designed specifically for real clinical environments.
Co‑designed with nurses, the wearable technology integrates principles from apparel design, mechanical engineering, biomechanics, and clinical medicine to create a solution that aligns with daily workflow demands. Unlike traditional compression garments, the soft‑robotic system adapts to movement and fatigue over the course of a shift, offering responsive support to reduce discomfort and enhance mobility. Early prototypes will be evaluated for comfort, usability, and biomechanical impact—including gait, balance, and muscle activity—to assess feasibility and real‑world relevance.
Through close collaboration with Carilion Clinic and VCOM, this project emphasizes whole‑person health by focusing on prevention rather than treatment—supporting nurses’ physical resilience before injury becomes chronic. The work also lays the foundation for scalable solutions that could benefit healthcare workers across a variety of settings and inform future clinical trials, industry partnerships, and broader workforce wellness initiatives.
