Mobility Research
The Research Center’s mobility studies seek to improve motor function in children and adolescents with ambulatory impairments ranging from brain or spinal cord injury to chronic conditions such as cerebral palsy (CP). Our research examines cutting edge technologies such as robotic exoskeletons and gait training, to lightweight wheelchairs and adaptive rock-climbing walls.
Our Current Studies
Use of a low-cost orthotic device to improve upper extremity function in children with cerebral palsy (ages 4-17): In collaboration with Rutgers University, this investigational study is for children with cerebral palsy or right or left arm hemiplegia who have a hard time using one of their hands. It will test the use of a 3-D printed brace, sized and fabricated with an Occupational therapist, combined with Occupational therapy treatment, OR just Occupational therapy treatment alone (and participants will be assigned to either group by chance in a randomized process). If your child qualifies, all services will be provided free of charge. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact Janelle Lenzo-Werner at jlenzo-werner@childrens-specialized.org.
More Studies in Mobility
Evaluating the impact of the Treadwall in Camp BECOME - This study investigates whether children with hemiplegic CP, who used the treadwall in the 2018 Camp BECOME program, will have more improvements compared to children who participated in the camp during previous years when the treadwall was not in use.
Correlates of Health Care Service Utilization in a sample of children with CP - The proposed study will explore the relationship between sociodemographic factors and other characteristics of children with CP and their patterns of health care utilization, including potential barriers to and facilitators of service utilization.
Our Recent Publications
Shoval, Hannah, et al. 'Safety of combined salivary gland and multilevel intramuscular onabotulinumtoxinA injections with and without ethanol in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy: A retrospective study. ' Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicine Preprint (2019): 1-8.
Karunakaran KK, Pilkar R, Ehrenberg N, Bentley KS, Cheng J and Nolan KJ (2019) Kinematic and Functional Gait Changes After the Utilization of a Foot Drop Stimulator in Pediatrics. Front. Neurosci. 13:732. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00732
Oliveira, Nuno, et al. Visual kinematic feedback enhances the execution of a novel knee flexion gait pattern in children and adolescents. Gait & Posture 74 (2019): 94-101.
Beavers, D. B., Holm, M. B., Rogers, J. C., Plummer, T., & Schmeler, M. (2018). Adaptation of the adult Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA) into a FMA-Family Centred (FMA-FC) paediatric version. Child: Care, Health and Development, 12(8), 626–631.
Nolan K.J., et al. (2018). Robotic Exoskeleton Gait Training for Inpatient Rehabilitation in a Young Adult with Traumatic Brain Injury. 2018 40th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), Honolulu, HI, 2018.
For a full list of publications, please click here.
