A new ankle brace that adjusts stiffness to help children with cerebral palsy walk better.
Official title: An adjustable stiffness orthosis to maintain muscle engagement and push-off power in cerebral palsy.
Funded at Biomotum, LLC · NIH-10759670 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of ankle brace that can change its stiffness to help kids with cerebral palsy move better while playing and running, making sure it meets their needs and improves their daily activities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Biomotum, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 12, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $274,282 |
| NIH project number | 1R41HD113494-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10759670 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with cerebral palsy who require support for walking and movement.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have cerebral palsy or those who are not ambulatory may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new type of ankle foot orthosis (AFO) that can adjust its stiffness to better support children with cerebral palsy. The goal is to create a device that allows for improved mobility during various activities, such as playing and running, by adapting to the child's needs. The study will involve validating the benefits of this adjustable AFO and understanding the needs of potential users to ensure it is effective and manufacturable. By addressing the limitations of current AFO designs, this research aims to enhance the quality of life for children with movement disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mobility and independence for children with cerebral palsy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing adaptive orthotic devices, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Biomotum, LLC
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lerner, Zachary Forest — Biomotum, LLC
- Study coordinator: Lerner, Zachary Forest
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Measuring how kids with cerebral palsy adapt their walking
A study to understand how children with cerebral palsy learn and adjust walking, and how personalized feedback during walking might improve their mobility.
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Precise measure of how CP affects movement to guide treatment
Aims to create precise, child-friendly ways to measure selective motor control in cerebral palsy so treatment can be tailored to each child.
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Non-invasive spinal stimulation to help kids with cerebral palsy move and reduce stiffness
This study tests a non-invasive spinal stimulation plus treadmill training to reduce spasticity and improve walking in children with cerebral palsy.
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Physiologic marker to predict cerebral palsy early in high-risk babies
Aims to create an early, easy screen using NICU vital signs to flag infants at higher risk for cerebral palsy so families can get timely follow-up.
-
Post-surgical foot deformities in adults with cerebral palsy: understanding long-term function
This research looks at how hindfoot problems in adults with cerebral palsy behave over time after childhood surgeries and what factors influence their lasting function.
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Dynamic Brain Imaging of Cerebral Palsy Gait
This project uses advanced brain and spinal imaging to understand how cerebral palsy affects the way young people plan and control their leg movements during walking.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.