Making clinic improvements show up in everyday arm use
Translation of In-Clinic Gains to Gains in Daily Life
['FUNDING_R37'] · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · NIH-11125787
This project uses wearable motion sensors to learn whether improvements from arm rehabilitation in the clinic lead to better everyday arm use for people with upper-limb problems.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R37'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11125787 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would wear small motion sensors that track how you use your arm during your normal day, not just in the clinic. Researchers compare these real-life measurements with clinic tests to see when therapy gains carry over to daily activities. They plan to group everyday arm use into a few common patterns that apply across different conditions so the results work for many patients. The goal is to clinically validate these sensor-based categories so doctors can use them in routine care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People of any age with upper-limb problems—such as after stroke, arm fracture, or shoulder conditions—who are receiving or considering rehabilitation and can wear small motion sensors are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without arm problems, those who cannot or will not wear sensors, or those not engaged in rehabilitation are unlikely to benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help therapists know whether treatment is improving your real-life arm use and guide more personalized rehabilitation.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies, including the team's earlier work, show wearable sensors can measure arm use, but using those measurements to turn clinic gains into real-life improvements remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES
- WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY — SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LANG, CATHERINE — WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: LANG, CATHERINE
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 below.