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Load Modulation for Cerebral Palsy

N/A

Waitlist Available

Research Sponsored by Northwestern University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Typically developing with no diagnosed medical conditions that affect movement, OR with a diagnosis of bilateral cerebral palsy (including diplegia, tetraplegia, and quadriplegia) where the lower limbs are more affected than the upper limbs

Aged 5 years to 19 years

Must not have

Cognitive dysfunction that would make following directions difficult

Lower limb surgery in the past year

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up at baseline and each loading level; during entirety of the stepping trial, from initial lift-off to final contact onto the single platform.

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial looks at children with two-sided cerebral palsy to see how their legs are affected when they take steps.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for children and teenagers aged 5 to 19 who can step up independently, with or without help from devices. It's specifically for those with bilateral cerebral palsy where legs are more affected than arms, but also includes typically developing individuals without movement-affecting conditions.

What is being tested?

The study is exploring how load modulation affects stepping tasks in participants with bilateral cerebral palsy. Researchers want to understand the lower limb impairments during these activities.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this trial involves physical tasks rather than medication, side effects may include muscle fatigue or discomfort related to the exercise involved in the stepping tests.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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I either have no medical conditions affecting movement or have cerebral palsy with my legs more affected than my arms.

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I am between 5 and 19 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I have trouble understanding or following instructions.

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I had surgery on my leg or foot in the last year.

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I have received botulinum toxin injections in my leg muscles within the last 6 months.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ at baseline and each loading level; during entirety of the stepping trial, from initial lift-off to final contact onto the single platform.

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~at baseline and each loading level; during entirety of the stepping trial, from initial lift-off to final contact onto the single platform.

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and at baseline and each loading level; during entirety of the stepping trial, from initial lift-off to final contact onto the single platform. for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Joint biomechanics (ankle)

Joint biomechanics (hip)

Joint biomechanics (knee)

+1 more

Secondary study objectives

Muscle activations (ankle)

Muscle activations (hip)

Muscle activations (knee)

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: load modulationExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants will experience different body weight loading conditions - with body weight added by a weighted vest or removed using the ZeroG overhead harness.

0 / 5Eligibility criteria met