Using mobile games to measure arm movement in children with cerebral palsy

Game-based Mobile-Health Quantification of Upper-Limb Motor Performance in Children with Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy

NIH-funded research Marquette University · NIH-10989211

This study is creating a fun mobile app with games to help measure how well kids with hemiparetic cerebral palsy can move their arms, making it easier to track their progress in everyday settings.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMarquette University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Milwaukee, United States)
Project IDNIH-10989211 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to develop and validate a mobile health application that uses interactive games to assess upper limb motor performance in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy. By utilizing common devices like iPads, the study seeks to provide objective measurements of movement that can be conducted in various environments, rather than relying solely on traditional clinical assessments. The project will involve children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy and typically developing peers, who will participate in laboratory sessions to play movement games designed to quantify their motor skills. The findings will help inform treatment planning and improve understanding of motor impairments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with hemiparetic cerebral palsy.

Not a fit: Children with other types of cerebral palsy or those without motor impairments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and accessible assessments of motor performance in children with cerebral palsy, ultimately improving their treatment and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using mobile health technologies for similar assessments, indicating a potential for success in this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Milwaukee, 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 2026-06-13 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.