Clinical Research Directory

Effect of a Light Stimulated Footsteps Pathway on Gait in Spastic Children

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study will be investigation of the effect oflight stimulated footsteps pathway on kinematics of gait in spastic diplegic children BACKGROUND: The goal of most therapy procedures for children with spastic cerebral palsy is to increase their walking abilities. Locomotor training usinglight stimulated footsteps pathwayhas been recommended for the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy in an effort to improve walking independence and gait speed. HYPOTHESES: Walking on light stimulated footsteps pathway may not affect kinematics of gait in spastic diplegic children RESEARCH QUESTION: Does walking on light stimulated footsteps pathway have any effect onkinematics of gait in spastic diplegic children?

Effect Of Brain Gym Exercises On Balance And Quality Of Life In Children With Spastic Diplegia

Statement of the problem Do brain gym exercises affect balance and quality of life in children with spastic diplegia? Null hypotheses: 1. There will be no significant effect of brain gym exercises on balance in children with spastic diplegia. 2. There will be no significant effect of brain gym exercises on quality of life in children with spastic diplegia.

Evaluation of Brain MRI Changes in Cerebral Palsy Patients

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by sensorimotor impairment that arises during early childhood defined as a static insult to the developing brain. A key part of the definition for CP is a non-progressive brain injury; however, as individuals with CP age, a functional decline greater than neurotypical individuals is often present. The investigators are doing this research study to improve understanding of whether there is brain and spinal cord atrophy over time that could indicate neurodegeneration. To do this, the investigators will partner with the Cerebral Palsy Research Network to obtain brain and spinal cord MRIs from people with CP across the United States. The investigators will perform analyses on multiple longitudinal MR images of the brain and spinal cord obtained from adults with CP. Putative changes will be related with changes in function across time. ... This will be a single-center study that will compare retrospective clinical and imaging data with similar prospective data. The objective is to find out if people with Cerebral Palsy (CP) experience changes in the structures of their brain over time. A key part of the CP definition is that it is a non-progressive brain injury. However, as people with CP age, their function often deteriorates. This study seeks to determine whether changes in the brain structure may result in function changes, as they do in other types of brain injuries. The investigators are doing this research study to improve understanding of whether there is brain and spinal cord atrophy over time that could indicate neurodegeneration. To do this, the investigators will partner with the Cerebral Palsy Research Network to obtain brain and spinal cord MRIs from people with CP across the United States, as well as locally. The investigators will perform analyses on multiple longitudinal MR images of the brain and spinal cord obtained from adults with CP. Putative changes will be related with changes in function across time.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Early Intensive Leg Exercise to Improve Walking in Children With Diplegia

This is a randomized controlled trial, comparing 3 months of intensive leg exercise to standard physiotherapy care for the improvement of gross motor function in young children with spastic diplegia.

Effect of Multisensory Motor Imagery Training on Muscle Performance and Coordination in Children With Spastic Diplegia

PURPOSE: The current study aims to: * Determine the effect of multisensory motor imagery training on muscle performance including (peak torque, work, power) of trunk and knee flexors and extensors in children with spastic diplegia. * Determine the effect of multisensory motor imagery training on coordination, strength and agility in children with spastic diplegia. BACKGROUND: Multisensory motor imagery training has an effect on muscle performance and coordination in children with spastic diplegia HYPOTHESES: There will be no effect of multisensory motor imagery training on muscle performance, coordination and strength and agility in children with spastic diplegic CP. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is there an effect of multisensory motor imagery training on coordination, strength and agility in children with spastic diplegia?

Role of Dynamic Movement Intervention in Children with Spastic Diplegia

The study aims to investigate the effect of dynamic movement intervention approach on static and dynamic balance, quality of step length and cadence of walking pattern of children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

Cortical Plasticity in Spastic Diplegia After Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy

The purpose of this study is to characterize the cortical connectivity changes in the brain of spastic diplegic children after Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy.

A Motor Learning Intervention to Target Walking Performance in Ambulant Children With Cerebral Palsy

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a new therapy approach to improve walking ability in children with Cerebral Palsy is acceptable to the children and the families in a community setting. The main questions we look to answer are: 1. Do the children/teens tolerate the therapy and feel that it is helpful? 2. Do the parents/ families feel the therapy helps and is easy to commit to? 3. Do the children/teens complete all their therapy sessions and assessments as planned? The participants will trial the therapy for 30 hours over 6 weeks and will perform assessments before and after to see if they meet their goals. They will also be interviewed to see how they felt about the therapy when they finish.