Exploring a harness-based mobility intervention for infants with Down syndrome
Official title: Feasibility and outcome measures for infants with Down syndrome: Advancing clinical trial readiness for a harness-based mobility intervention
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-10656637 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a special harness system to help babies with Down syndrome move around better, which can help them explore and connect with their caregivers, and it’s designed for families who want to support their child's development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 4, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $477,482 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD111945-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10656637 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants diagnosed with Down syndrome who are not yet independently mobile.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or those with severe mobility impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a mobility intervention using body weight supported harness systems for infants with Down syndrome (DS). The goal is to enhance mobility, which is crucial for exploration, communication, and interaction with caregivers, thereby supporting overall development. The study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention, including data collection methods and in-home assessments, to prepare for future clinical trials. By focusing on caregiver-implemented strategies, the research aims to provide effective early interventions for infants with developmental delays.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mobility and developmental outcomes for infants with Down syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: While harness systems have been used in children with mobility impairments, this specific approach for infants with Down syndrome is novel and has not been systematically studied.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iverson, Jana M — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Iverson, Jana M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Exploring how Down syndrome affects optic nerve health in kids
A study using a mouse model to understand why optic nerve problems are common in children with Down syndrome and how to prevent them.
-
Executive Function Enhancement for Young Children with Down Syndrome
A caregiver-guided program for kids with Down syndrome aged up to 11 to strengthen their thinking skills during early childhood.
-
Silencing an Extra Chromosome to Help Down Syndrome and Related Conditions
A patient-friendly plan to use a gene-based approach to quiet an extra chromosome in cells and a mouse model to reduce disease-related effects in Down syndrome and other chromosomal imbalance disorders.
-
Infant Down Syndrome Brain and Behavior Study
A study of infants with Down syndrome to collect brain imaging and developmental data, creating a large, shared resource to understand how autism and other factors relate to development.
-
DS-ARC: Smartphone-based cognitive check for people with Down syndrome at risk for Alzheimer’s
A smartphone-based cognitive test is being developed and tested for people with Down syndrome who may develop Alzheimer’s disease, to track changes quietly in daily life.
-
Immune and NGF factors in Alzheimer’s for adults with Down syndrome
This grant studies why people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer’s disease by looking at immune signals and nerve growth factor problems.
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.