Smart Socks for Diabetes That Restore Sensation and Reduce Chronic Pain

Smart Socks for Diabetes That Help Users Feel the Ground Again

People living with diabetes often struggle with neuropathy, a nerve-damage condition that reduces sensation in the feet and increases the risk of falls, ulcers, chronic pain, and infections. ETH Zurich spin-off MYNERVA has created a breakthrough solution: Leia, a pair of smart socks for diabetes designed to restore sensation in the foot sole and relieve neuropathic pain without medication.

Leia integrates electrodes sewn directly into the fabric, which stimulate specific nerve fibers in the foot. This stimulation encourages the body to release chemical messengers that block pain signals before they reach the brain—a mechanism similar to advanced neurostimulation therapies, but miniaturized into a wearable sock.

A small tracker located in the sock’s shaft receives real-time data from pressure sensors embedded in the sole, converting that information into electrical patterns that restore sensory feedback. The result is a wearable that helps users “feel the ground” again as they walk.

AI-Driven Personalization Adapts Stimulation to Each User

A key component of Leia’s innovation is its integration of artificial intelligence. The smart socks continuously adjust electrical stimulation based on:

• walking patterns,

• external conditions,

• individual nerve response,

• and real-time pressure distribution across the foot.

This makes the treatment highly personalized, ensuring each user receives exactly the level of stimulation needed for comfort, pain reduction, and improved gait stability.

The embedded sensors monitor how pressure shifts while walking, helping identify dangerous pressure points—one of the major causes of diabetic foot ulcers. MYNERVA aims to determine whether the sock can prevent ulcer formation, with a long-term study beginning in late 2025.

Five Years of Prototyping Lead to a Wearable That Looks Like a Normal Sock

MYNERVA’s team has spent five years developing Leia, keeping every prototype along the way—from early experimental overshoes wired with cables to later versions using Velcro, zippers, and laces. The earliest prototype featured two padded nodes stitched into the sock, reminiscent of Princess Leia’s iconic hairstyle, which inspired its name.

The current version resembles a standard sock, lightweight and discreet, with all electronics embedded into the textile. Users interact with Leia through a dedicated app, which allows them to:

• adjust stimulation levels,

• monitor walking performance,

• review nerve-response data,

• and personalize treatment settings.

The company plans a soft launch in the United States in 2027, followed by availability in Switzerland, the UK, and the Middle East.

A New Path for Treating Diabetic Neuropathy Without Medication

High blood sugar levels can damage nerves—particularly the tibial nerve responsible for carrying sensations from the foot sole to the brain. Once damaged, people lose the ability to feel the ground accurately when walking. This leads to:

• instability and increased fall risk,

• undetected pressure points,

• development of ulcers and wounds,

• infections that may result in amputation,

• and chronic neuropathic pain.

Current treatments often rely on strong painkillers, which carry risks of side effects and dependency. Leia offers a non-pharmaceutical, wearable alternative with the potential to transform diabetic foot care.

By restoring sensation and reducing pain through neurostimulation, Leia aims to help users recover physical confidence, protect their feet from injury, and improve their overall quality of life.

Written by Otávio Santiago, a visual designer whose work blends clarity, rhythm, and storytelling. Between Berlin and Lisbon, he creates across print, motion, branding, and immersive 3D environments.