MedTrace Logo

Investigating New Methods to Study Movement in Children and Young Adults With Movement Disorders.

NCT06498596 · Status: RECRUITING · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2026-04-21

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Background:

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disorder that affects children. People with CP have weak muscles; they may have trouble controlling the movements of their arms and legs. Researchers have been developing braces called robotic exoskeletons for people with CP. These devices can adapt to the person s movements and help them move better. This natural history study will explore new technologies that may tell us more about how people with CP move and improve how these exoskeletons work.

Objective:

To test new technologies to measure people s movements and brain function while they move with and without a robotic exoskeleton.

Eligibility:

People aged 5 to 25 years with CP. Healthy volunteers are also needed.

Design:

Participants will have 3 to 5 clinic visits in 2 months.

Participants will be fitted with an exoskeleton that will be worn on one of their legs.

At each visit, participants will be asked to move their wrist, ankle, and knee while the following measurements are taken:

Ultrasound. A bar will be placed against the skin. It will send soundwaves into the body to take pictures of the muscles.

Electroencephalography (EEG). Participants will wear a cap with sensors. Their brain waves will be recorded.

Electromyography (EMG). Small metal discs will be taped to the skin. They will measure electrical activity of muscle.

Participants will flex and extend each joint (wrist, ankle, or knee) on one side of their body. These movements will be done on their own and while assisted by two devices:

Functional electrical stimulation (FES). Small adhesive pads will be placed on the skin and electric. Pulses will stimulate muscles to help move the limb. This will be done for the wrist, ankle and knee.

Robotic Exoskeleton. A leg brace will be placed on one limb with a motor that will help move the knee. The exoskeleton can be used with or without FES.

Participants will also walk on a treadmill at their own pace.

Photographs and videos will record how they move.

Conditions

  • Cerebral Palsy

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)

    lead NIH

Principal Investigators

  • Thomas C Bulea, Ph.D. · National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)

Eligibility

Min Age
5 Years
Max Age
25 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-02-20
Primary Completion
2027-12-31
Completion
2027-12-31

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06498596 on ClinicalTrials.gov