Understanding how early movement affects infants with Down syndrome

Role of early motor experience in infants with Down syndrome (DS)

NIH-funded research Georgia State University · NIH-10603394

This study is looking at how early movement experiences can help babies with Down syndrome develop their motor skills and language, using cool technology that tracks their movements at home without any special markers.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionGeorgia State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Atlanta, United States)
Project IDNIH-10603394 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of early motor experiences on infants with Down syndrome by utilizing innovative markerless motion capture technology. The study aims to collect motor data during home visits, allowing researchers to analyze movements like treadmill stepping and reaching/grasping without the need for traditional markers. By comparing this new method with established techniques, the research seeks to improve our understanding of motor and language development in these infants. The use of mobile technology and advanced video analysis tools aims to streamline data collection and enhance the accuracy of findings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants diagnosed with Down syndrome, particularly those aged 0-11 months.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 11 months or do not have a diagnosis of Down syndrome may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved developmental strategies for infants with Down syndrome, enhancing their motor and language skills.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of markerless motion capture is a relatively novel approach, previous studies have shown promise in utilizing technology for developmental assessments.

Where this research is happening

Atlanta, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.