Kids Standing Up: Helping children with neuromuscular conditions move and stand with a pediatric standing wheelchair
Official title: Kids Standing Up: Promoting Independent Mobility in Children with Neuromuscular Conditions with a Standing Wheelchair
Funded at Optimal Mobility INC · NIH-11412951 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new pediatric manual mobile standing wheelchair is being designed to let children move between sitting and standing on their own, enabling participation in daily activities without caregiver help.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Optimal Mobility INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minnetonka, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $754,292 |
| NIH project number | 5R44HD118822-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412951 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and adolescents aged 8-18 with neuromuscular conditions such as spina bifida who require mobility assistance.
✕Less likely to help
Children with mobility needs not related to standing or neuromuscular conditions may not benefit from this device.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a pediatric manual mobile standing wheelchair that works in both seated and standing positions. The team will use feedback from families and clinicians to design and prototype two full devices, then test their safety for use by children aged 8-18 with neuromuscular conditions such as spina bifida. The work builds on prior research with adults and veterans to adapt the concept for pediatric users, with a multi-stage process to refine the design through iterations. In-lab testing with children and adolescents will assess feasibility, usability, and potential benefits in real-world activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, children could stand and move more independently, improving participation in daily activities and overall well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work on manual mobile sit-to-stand wheelchairs in adults provides a foundation, with pediatric adaptation still in early stages.
Where this research is happening
-
Optimal Mobility INC
Minnetonka, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mccracken, Patricia J — Optimal Mobility INC
- Study coordinator: Mccracken, Patricia J
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.