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Locomotor Learning in Infants at High Risk for Cerebral Palsy
Sponsor: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Summary
The objective of this project is to characterize the evolution of locomotor learning over the first 18 months of life in infants at high risk for cerebral palsy (CP). To characterize how locomotor skill is learned (or not learned) during this critical period, the investigators will combine established protocols using robust, unbiased robotic and sensor technology to longitudinally study infant movement across three consecutive stages during the development of impaired human motor control - early spontaneous movement, prone locomotion (crawling), and upright locomotion (walking).
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
Any - 6 Weeks
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2020-12-15
Completion Date
2025-08-04
Last Updated
2026-06-29
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Prone and Upright Locomotor Training
During the movement observation phase, infants will wear a wireless movement sensor at each ankle for two days. Research staff will show the caregivers how to place the sensors in the morning and charge them overnight. The training protocol for the prone training will consist of: 1) Warm-up. 2) Assisted movement of the arms and legs. 3) Calibration of the infant's arm and leg positions. 4) Self-initiated mobility for up to five minutes. For upright training, the environment will be arranged to encourage active motor exploration and variability in walking activities.The therapist will assist the child as needed to encourage upright locomotor activities, but only the minimum amount needed to perform the task. Weight assistance will be gradually reduced as postural control and coordination improve.
Locations (1)
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States