Understanding how different walking environments affect children with cerebral palsy
Official title: Mechanics of overground, dry, and aquatic treadmill walking in children & adolescents with cerebral palsy
Funded at University of Nebraska Omaha · NIH-10514226 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different places to walk—like on solid ground, a dry treadmill, or in water—affect how children with cerebral palsy move their legs and use their muscles, so we can find the best ways to help them walk better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Omaha NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $448,118 |
| NIH project number | 1R15HD109666-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10514226 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children and adolescents diagnosed with cerebral palsy who experience difficulties with walking and mobility.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have cerebral palsy or those with severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how walking in various environments, such as overground, dry treadmill, and aquatic treadmill, influences the walking mechanics of children with cerebral palsy. By examining the effects of walking speed and environment on lower limb movement and muscle activity, the study aims to identify optimal rehabilitation strategies. The research will involve detailed assessments of walking patterns and muscle performance to enhance the understanding of how these factors contribute to mobility challenges in children with cerebral palsy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved rehabilitation techniques that enhance mobility and quality of life for children with cerebral palsy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in optimizing rehabilitation strategies for children with cerebral palsy, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Omaha
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kingston, David C — University of Nebraska Omaha
- Study coordinator: Kingston, David C
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.