Wearable home-use device to help children with cerebral palsy walk better
Official title: Center for Innovative NeuroTech Advancement - CINTA (15999 Biomotum)
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11550124 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A home-friendly ankle exoskeleton worn by children with cerebral palsy aims to improve walking by delivering real-time biofeedback and targeted training.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,484,778 |
| NIH project number | 3U54EB033650-05S7 |
| Project ID | NIH-11550124 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and adolescents with cerebral palsy who experience gait impairment and have some walking ability.
✕Less likely to help
Children with CP who are non-ambulatory or have severe contractures may not benefit from this device.
What this research studies
This project develops a lightweight ankle exoskeleton for children with cerebral palsy to use at home or in the community, with built-in biofeedback to reinforce better muscle control during walking. It targets dose-rich, task-specific practice to improve gait and independence where access to in-clinic therapy is limited. The device adapts to different terrains and integrates motor-learning principles to promote lasting improvements. Researchers will test usability, safety, and preliminary effectiveness in real-world settings with adolescents who have CP.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could increase walking ability and independence for children with CP, potentially reducing caregiver burden.
How similar studies have gone: Similar wearable gait assist devices and home-based training show promise, but this project adds real-time biofeedback and home-use feasibility for CP.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schachter, Steven C. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Schachter, Steven C.
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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.