Developing digital tools to measure walking in children with rare neuromuscular disorders
Official title: Establishing Walking-related Digital Biomarkers in Rare Childhood Onset Progressive Neuromuscular Disorders
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11077304 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at kids with rare muscle disorders that make it hard for them to walk, and it uses cool wearable technology to track their walking patterns in everyday life, helping doctors understand their condition better and find better ways to help them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $496,385 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD112908-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077304 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children and adolescents diagnosed with genetically determined neuromuscular disorders, particularly those experiencing progressive weakness affecting their mobility.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with neuromuscular disorders not related to childhood onset or those who do not have access to the required wearable technology may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on children with rare neuromuscular disorders that affect their ability to walk. By using advanced wearable technology, the project aims to create digital biomarkers that can accurately track walking patterns and mobility in real-world settings. This approach will allow for continuous monitoring of patients' ambulatory function outside of clinical environments, providing more sensitive assessments of their condition. The goal is to improve understanding of how these disorders progress and to enhance treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better monitoring and management of walking abilities in children with neuromuscular disorders, ultimately improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using wearable technology for monitoring mobility in other conditions, suggesting that this approach could be effective for neuromuscular disorders as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Montes, Jacqueline — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Montes, Jacqueline
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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.