Today, Cadense, a leader in adaptive footwear and mobility technology, announced new research published in JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies examining self-reported falls and fall-related outcomes before and during use of its Glide & Grip Technology among people with walking difficulties.
Researchers affiliated with Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, the University of California Santa Barbara, and Northwestern University conducted the study, which analyzed self-reported outcomes from 705 Cadense customers. Among survey respondents, self-reported monthly falls were 87.1% lower during Cadense use than before (2.4 versus 0.3 per month), along with lower self-reported injurious falls and fall-related healthcare utilization during use.
The findings provide real-world evidence of an association between Cadense use and the reported outcomes, highlighting the potential role of adaptive footwear in mobility and rehabilitation research. For Cadense, the research further reinforces its position as a leader in a new generation of footwear designed not simply to accommodate mobility challenges, but to respond to how people move.
“Innovation isn’t simply about creating a new shoe, it’s about raising the standard of what people can expect from their shoes,” said Johannes Sauer, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Cadense. “People shouldn’t have to change the way they move or adapt their natural movement simply because their footwear isn’t designed to meet their needs. Cadense has spent more than a decade developing technology around a simple idea: footwear should adapt to people, rather than asking people to adapt to their footwear. This research provides additional insight into our Glide & Grip Technology and reinforces our commitment to bringing research-driven mobility innovation into everyday life.”
Redefining What Adaptive Footwear Can Do
Cadense is redefining adaptive footwear by designing around the mechanics of walking. Its patented Glide & Grip Technology is engineered to let the foot glide forward when needed, then increase traction when the wearer needs to stop and take their next step.
Developed through more than a decade of research at MIT and the University of California Santa Barbara, the technology brings principles of gait science and rehabilitation into everyday footwear. Rather than simply adapting a shoe’s fit or appearance, Cadense footwear is designed to actively respond to how a person moves, supporting those who experience challenges such as shuffling, foot drop, toe catch, and instability.
The newly published research offers real-world evidence of self-reported associations between Cadense use and falls and fall-related outcomes.
Key findings include:
The following results are from a retrospective survey of 705 Cadense users:
- Among 705 survey respondents, self-reported monthly falls were 87.1% lower during Cadense use than before use (2.4 versus 0.3 per month).
- Among 705 survey respondents, 84.4% reported zero falls during Cadense use, compared with 22.7% in the recalled pre-use period.
- Among 705 survey respondents, self-reported annualized injurious falls were 93.2% lower during Cadense use than before use (1.8 versus 0.1 per person-year).
- Among 705 survey respondents, the number reporting a fall that required medical attention was lower during Cadense use than before use (12 respondents, or 1.7%, compared with 192 respondents, or 27.2%).
- Among 705 survey respondents, the number reporting fall-related hospital or urgent-care use was lower during Cadense use than before use (10 respondents, or 1.4%, compared with 131 respondents, or 18.6%).
- Among 545 survey respondents who reported at least one fall before using Cadense, 95.4% reported fewer falls during use.
- Across all 705 survey respondents, 73.8% reported fewer falls during use.
- Respondents also reported reductions in trip-related falls, an outcome relevant to the proposed mechanism of Glide & Grip Technology.
Together, these self-reported survey findings highlight associations between Cadense use and reported falls and fall-related outcomes, while supporting the need for prospective evaluation of Cadense using fall monitoring and other outcome measures.
Advancing the Future of Mobility
For people living with mobility challenges, every step matters. Yet traditional footwear is largely designed for the average gait, leaving an opportunity for footwear technology to play a more active role in supporting how people move.
Cadense is helping change that. By combining gait science, rehabilitation research, and adaptive technology, the company is redefining footwear as a potential part of the mobility solution, not simply an accommodation, but a technology designed to support movement in everyday life.
“Footwear is part of every step a person takes, yet it has traditionally played a limited role in rehabilitation,” said Dr. Nathan Estrada, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Fall Prevention specialist, and Vice President at Cadense. “Our Glide & Grip Technology opens the door for new possibilities by addressing how the foot interacts with the ground throughout the walking cycle. These findings highlight the potential for adaptive footwear to complement rehabilitation and support mobility in everyday life, while also underscoring the need for further research.”
The study’s publication in JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies adds important real-world evidence to this approach and reinforces the need for continued research at the intersection of footwear, gait, and rehabilitation.
As the adaptive footwear market continues to evolve, Cadense remains focused on advancing the science, technology, and application of mobility footwear, bringing research-driven innovation into products designed for everyday life and helping redefine the possibilities for people with walking difficulties.
To read the full study, visit https://rehab.jmir.org/2026/1/e104177
To learn more about Cadense and its Variable Friction Technology, visit: Cadense – Truly Adaptive Shoes
About Cadense: Cadense is reimagining footwear around the way people move – combining breakthrough mobility technology with everyday shoes designed to help people walk more naturally, confidently, and independently. Founded on research originating at MIT and further developed at the University of California Santa Barbara, Cadense’s patented Glide & Grip Technology helps support smoother, more controlled movement for people experiencing challenges such as shuffling, toe drag, instability, and foot drop. With more than 12 years of research and collaboration with clinicians and researchers, Cadense is bringing a new generation of adaptive footwear from the lab to everyday life.
Study Citation: Nataletti, et al., “Participant-Reported Reductions in Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Associated With Variable-Friction Footwear: Retrospective Pre-Post Survey Study”, JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies 2026;13:e104177; doi: 10.2196/104177
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*This retrospective, pre-post observational study was based on self-reported survey data from 705 Cadense customers and had a 4.8% response rate. The study did not include a concurrent control group, and the authors noted potential self-selection bias and other limitations. The findings show associations and should be considered preliminary; they do not establish that Cadense or Variable Friction footwear caused the reported reductions. Prospective controlled studies are needed to further evaluate these effects. Reported insurance-related cost reductions are annualized estimates based on self-reported healthcare utilization and should not be interpreted as demonstrated payer savings |
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260923492677/en/
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