Helping children with severe cerebral palsy gain independence through powered wheelchairs
Official title: Em-power: Maximizing Functional Independence for Children with Severe Cerebral Palsy
Funded at Grand Valley State University · NIH-10871984 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping kids with severe cerebral palsy who can't walk or use a manual wheelchair on their own learn how to use a powered wheelchair through fun video training while sitting in their own chairs, so they can move around more easily and gain independence.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Grand Valley State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Allendale, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $387,263 |
| NIH project number | 1R15HD115230-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10871984 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years with severe cerebral palsy who are unable to walk or self-propel a manual wheelchair.
✕Less likely to help
Children who can walk or use a manual wheelchair independently may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on children with severe cerebral palsy who cannot walk or use a manual wheelchair independently. It aims to enhance their mobility and independence by using a powered wheelchair (PWC) training system called the IndieTrainer. This system allows children to practice PWC skills while seated in their own customized manual wheelchairs, using engaging video-based training modules. The project will evaluate the effectiveness of this training approach in helping children learn to use PWCs safely and effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the mobility and independence of children with severe cerebral palsy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that powered wheelchairs can provide significant benefits for children with mobility impairments, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kenyon, Lisa — Grand Valley State University
- Study coordinator: Kenyon, Lisa
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.