Optimizing spinal stimulation levels to improve walking for children with cerebral palsy
Official title: Optimizing spinal stimulation intensity for gait training in cerebral palsy
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11310983 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A non-invasive spinal cord stimulation approach is tested with gait training to help children with cerebral palsy walk more easily and with less stiffness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $383,200 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD121135-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11310983 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ambulatory children with bilateral cerebral palsy, around 4–10 years old, who can participate in treadmill and overground walking sessions.
✕Less likely to help
Children with non-ambulatory CP or other major medical conditions may not benefit from this specific protocol.
What this research studies
This project looks at how different levels of spinal stimulation affect walking in children with cerebral palsy during treadmill and overground training. Researchers will systematically test several stimulation intensities and measure changes in gait patterns, muscle activity, and movement quality. The goal is to find the most effective and comfortable stimulation level that can be used consistently in clinical practice. If successful, this could lead to more reliable protocols for improving mobility in kids with CP.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to clearer guidelines for spinal stimulation therapies that improve walking for children with CP.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies show promise for spinal stimulation paired with training, but standardized intensity methods are needed; this study advances that standardization.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Steele, Katherine M — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Steele, Katherine M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
-
Understanding Movement in Cerebral Palsy
This project aims to better understand how brain and spinal cord changes affect walking and leg movements in young people and adults with cerebral palsy.
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Investigating how brain and spinal cord function affects walking in children with cerebral palsy
This study is looking at how the brain and spinal cord work together to help kids with cerebral palsy walk better, using safe imaging techniques to learn more about their movements and senses, so we can find better ways to support them.
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Gait speed from wearable sensors to guide ALS trials
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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.
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Movement-Enhanced Walking Training to Improve Balance After Stroke
A specialized treadmill training using a cable-driven device, called Movement Amplification Environment (MAE), helps people with chronic stroke improve walking balance by enhancing their own movement awareness.
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.