Active clinical trials for "Cerebral Palsy"

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has opened new potential avenues for the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases via the effects of modulation on neuroplasticity. Repetitive TMS (rTMS) is a non-invasive method of stimulation neural pathways in the brain of conscious subjects through the intact scalp. The investigators hypothesize that excitatory rTMS applied over the motor cortex would increase motor cortex activity and result in an increase in the inhibitory input through the corticospinal tract to the spinal cord, thus reducing alpha neuron hyperactivity and consequently clinical spasticity. In this study, the investigators will apply the stimulation on the legs motor cortex area, which can cover supplemental motor area (SMA). Therefore, not only the spasticity, but also the motor control of legs both can be modulated by stimulation. Theta burst stimulation is a condition of rTMS which was designed by the co-investigator. It has controllable, consistent, long-lasting, and powerful effects on motor cortex physiology and behavior. The investigators therefore design this protocol using theta burst stimulation on the motor cortex of the patients of cerebral palsy. The investigators expect that there would be an effect on the reduction of spasticity after rTMS on the brain of children with CP, thus improving the motor control of legs.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood (2-3 per 1000 live born), and is frequently accompanied by cognitive impairments and behavioural problems. The present study is a controlled clinical trial, a multicenter-study involving three health regions, as well as the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Its primary research goal will be to evaluate the effects of computer-based cognitive training in children with CP. In addition, this study will be the first to conduct a comprehensive neuropsychological examination to improve our understanding of cognitive impairments as well as cognitive resources in CP children in Norway to aid in intervention planning.

The Physical Therapy for children with Cerebral Palsy is of great complexity, in addition to improving the neuromotor components at the level of structure and body function, must empower them to carry out their activities and daily tasks and enable their social participation. In this way, the goals of Physical Therapy are related to promote the independence and functionality of the individual in situations of daily life. The participation of caregivers in the rehabilitation process can contribute to potentiate the gains obtained by physical therapy as well as to which they are incorporated into the day to day management of children with cerebral palsy. Objective: To assess whether Physical Therapy associated with the education of caregivers is effective in improving the functioning and quality of life of children with cerebral palsy. Hypothesis: The combination of Physical therapy with the education of caregivers improves in 15% the parameters analyzed against only 10% in those who are only Physical Therapy. Methods: 60 children with cerebral palsy after acceptance and signature in the term of informed consent will be randomly divided into 2 groups (G1: Physiotherapy and education of caregivers and G2: only Physical Therapy) to do 3 sessions of Physical Therapy and 1 weekly session of group education with duration of 45 min during 12 consecutive weeks. The evaluation will be carried out by means of the System of Classification of Motor Function Gross (GMFCS), the evaluation of Motor Function through the scale GMFM-88 (Gross Motor Function Measure - 88 ) and the Activity and Participation will be evaluated by the Inventory of Evaluation of Pediatric Disability (PEDI). The analysis of the results will be carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) using descriptive statistics for social and demographic characteristics and inferential for normality of data (test Kolmogorov-Smirnov ), mean comparison test to check for differences between the groups and measures of association through the coefficient of correlation. The level of significance of 5% will be established

This study aims to determine if participation in a core stability physiotherapy group programme can improve the balance of children with cerebral palsy. It is hypothesised that teaching the children how and when to activate their deep core stabilising muscles may help improve their body awareness and their ability to control their alignment and therefore positively affect their balance. Children with cerebral palsy from the ages of 7 to 17, who can walk independently, will be randomly selected to join either the control group or intervention group, after completion of their baseline balance assessments. Each group will be re-assessed after completion of their 4 week intervention or control period.

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the efficacy of Sitting Together And Reaching To Play (START-Play), an intervention designed to target sitting, reaching, and motor-based problem solving to improve development and readiness to learn in infants with motor delays or dysfunction. There is limited research examining the efficacy of early physical intervention on infants with neuromotor dysfunction. In addition, most early motor interventions have not been directly linked to learning, despite the research demonstrating an association between motor activity and cognitive skills. START-Play specifically targets motor skills that lead to greater physical exploration, which has been associated with improved problem solving and global development. A randomized controlled trial of START-Play will be conducted across four states to investigate the impact of the intervention on changes over time in sitting and reaching, subsequent changes in global cognitive development, and the mediating influences of motor skill changes and problem solving. The research team will conduct a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of START-Play on motor development, motor problem solving, global development including cognitive problem solving of infants with neuromotor delay and dysfunction. Infants will experience either the intervention or services as usual for 3 months, with following testing at three time points up until 9 months post intervention. The researchers will determine whether the intervention leads to improved sitting and reaching, which leads to improved motor-based problem solving, which leads to improved global development and problem solving.

This research project focuses on the evaluation of an engaging exercise and cognitive computer game-based platform and embedded assessment tools for use in clinical practice and its transition to use in the home, and elementary classrooms. The goal of our research program is to produce innovative therapeutic point-of-care and cost-effective delivery system leading to better long-term health outcomes for toddlers and children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. The program is grounded on our technological developments and on current research documenting the benefits of computer-aided learning tools, exercise gaming applications in rehabilitation and principles of adaptive learning and neuroplasticity. We will conduct a randomized controlled trial to study the feasibility and effectiveness of a computer-aided, game-based repetitive task practice (RTP) program designed for training of fine and gross motor skills of the hand-arms and psychomotor skills (which) in young children with CP.

The study is designed to evaluate the use of electromagnetic tracking in multi plane femoral osteotomies, namely extension derotation osteotomies. The goal is to raise the precision of the surgical procedure in order to improve the outcome in short- and long term. All patients are examined with an instrumented 3D gait analysis pre- and one year postoperatively. The electromagnetic tracking system is evaluated against a base line CT or MRI scan serving as reference standard pre- and postoperatively.

The research project focuses on the evaluation of an engaging computer game-aided rehabilitation platform for use in rehabilitation of young children with cerebral palsy. The goal of this research program is to produce high quality therapeutic point-of-care approaches and cost-effective delivery systems leading to better long-term health outcomes. At present, the challenges entailed in providing therapy services continue to put identified children at risk of missing opportunities to maximize the neurodevelopmental capacities, sustain any behavioral recovery and prevent future complications.The program is grounded on the technological developments and on current research documenting the benefits of computer-aided learning tools, exercise gaming applications in rehabilitation and principles of adaptive learning and neuroplasticity. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to study the feasibility and effectiveness of a computer game-aided rehabilitation platform (CGR) for a repetitive task practice (RTP) protocol designed for training of balance in young children with Cerebral Palsy (CP).

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of treadmill training combined with ankle weights on balance in spastic cerebral palsied children.

This study will evaluate the retention effects of a four-week whole-body vibration training intervention in children with Cerebral Palsy. The primary outcomes for this study are gait function, including Timed Up and Go and the two-minute walk test. Secondary outcomes of this study include lower extremity gait function, coordination, and gait variability. For this study, a total of 10 children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) will be recruited with 5 being randomly placed into an experimental group and 5 being randomly placed into a control group. Each participant, regardless of group, will complete pre-, post-, and retention testing, with a four-week whole-body vibration training intervention between the pre- and post-testing. The four-week whole-body vibration training will include three visits per week, with the experimental group receiving a vibration stimulus while standing on a vibration platform. Vibration sessions will consist of three-minutes of vibration, followed by three minutes rest, completing this cycle three separate times. The control group will follow a similar pattern, but rather than experiencing vibration, they will hear a sound of the vibration platform through a speaker. Once the four-week training session is finished, participants will return after a three-month retention period to determine whether ambulation function was retained.