Measuring lung function in children with cerebral palsy using a non-invasive sensor
Official title: Non-Invasive Measurement of Pulmonary Dysfunction in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Funded at Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware · NIH-10828860 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, easy-to-use breathing sensor called pneuRIP that helps doctors check how well children with high-level cerebral palsy are breathing, without needing them to do anything tricky, so they can get better care for their lungs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wilmington, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $189,063 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HD111958-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10828860 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children with high-level cerebral palsy who may struggle with traditional pulmonary function tests.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild cerebral palsy or those without significant pulmonary dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new non-invasive breathing sensor called pneuRIP, designed to measure pulmonary function in children with high-level cerebral palsy. Unlike traditional methods like spirometry, which can be difficult for these children to use, the pneuRIP sensor passively collects data without requiring active participation. It uses inductive bands placed around the chest and abdomen to monitor breathing patterns and provides real-time feedback on respiratory function. The goal is to improve diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary issues, potentially reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better monitoring and management of lung function in children with cerebral palsy, improving their overall health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using non-invasive methods for measuring pulmonary function, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware
Wilmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rahman, Tariq — Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware
- Study coordinator: Rahman, Tariq
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
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.