Quantifying Energetic Demands of Walking for People With Cerebral Palsy
- Conditions
- Cerebral Palsy
- Interventions
- Other: Varying levels of harness support during walking
- Registration Number
- NCT04303078
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Washington
- Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to examine the underlying mechanisms that contribute to high energy costs for people with cerebral palsy (CP) as they walk.
The investigators will characterize the cost landscape of children with CP, quantifying the magnitude of cost (net nondimensional oxygen consumption) associated with walking and common sub-tasks of walking, such as supporting and stabilizing the body.
- Detailed Description
Children with CP use large amounts of energy to walk and move, leading to fatigue and limiting participation. For people with CP the energetic cost of walking is on average over two times higher than typically-developing (TD) peers. This means that for people with CP, walking is as tiring as jogging or climbing stairs. An energetic cost of this magnitude restricts activities of daily living (ADL) and causes exhaustion.
While the investigators and many others have sought to reduce these energetic costs through surgical interventions, rehabilitation, orthotics, or other assistive devices, these strategies have failed to result in meaningful reductions in energy. To design strategies that successfully reduce walking costs, the investigators must first understand the underlying mechanisms contributing to elevated cost in people with CP. This basic-science research will provide the foundation to create evidence-based strategies to decrease energy costs, minimize fatigue, and increase quality of life for people with CP and other neurologic injuries.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 40
Not provided
Not provided
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Typically Developing Children (Controls) Varying levels of harness support during walking Children meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria without a diagnosis of cerebral palsy or other condition. Children with Cerebral Palsy (Cases) Varying levels of harness support during walking Children meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Net nondimensional oxygen consumption One-time research visit (1 hour) Compare net nondimensional oxygen consumption with varying levels of harness support
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Passive joint range of motion One-time research visit (15 minutes) Compare passive joint range of motion (degrees) measured by lower extremity physical exam
Lower extremity strength One-time research visit (15 minutes) Lower extremity strength measures by the manual muscle test (0 no muscle contraction - 5 typical muscle function)
Three-dimensional gait kinematics One-time research visit (1 hour) Three-dimensional gait kinematics to estimate body position and orientation, including trunk and lower limb
Three-dimensional gait kinetics One-time research visit (1 hour) Three-dimensional gait kinetics to estimate joint moments (Nm/kg) of the hip, knee, and ankle
Spasticity One-time research visit (15 minutes) Spasticity measured by Modified Ashworth Scale (0 no increase in tone - 4 rigid in flexion or extension)
Selective motor control One-time research visit (15 minutes) Selective motor control (0 patterned movement - 2 complete isolated movement)
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare
🇺🇸Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States