Digital motion-analysis app to measure motor abilities in children with cerebral palsy

Metrological Properties of a Digital Motion Analysis Research Application for Assessing the Motor Abilities and Performance of Children With Cerebral Palsy

Not applicable Interventional Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon · NCT07432789

This project tests a digital motion-analysis app to measure movement and motor skills in children aged 6–18 with cerebral palsy.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages6 Years to 18 Years
SexAll
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon Academic / other
Locations1 site (Dijon)
Trial IDNCT07432789 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project examines the measurement properties of a digital motion-analysis application designed to record and quantify motor performance in children with cerebral palsy. Children with CP (GMFCS I–III) and healthy controls aged 6–18 will perform standardized motor tasks while the app captures movement data; parents and clinicians will complete questionnaires and semi-structured interviews for qualitative feedback. The study compares app outputs with clinical functional scales and task-based observations to characterize reliability, accuracy, and usability. Work is carried out at CHU Dijon and combines quantitative and qualitative methods.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 6–18 with a clinical diagnosis of cerebral palsy, GMFCS levels I–III, able to perform motor tasks without major cognitive or visual impairment, and with a parent able to give informed consent.

Not a fit: Children with more severe motor impairment (GMFCS IV–V), major cognitive or visual deficits that prevent task completion, children younger than 6 or adults, and those unable to attend in-person visits are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the app could offer a lower-cost, more practical way to track children's motor function in clinic and everyday settings, helping clinicians tailor therapy and monitor progress.

How similar studies have performed: While optoelectronic motion capture is the established gold standard, several pilot studies of wearable and app-based motion tools have shown promise but full clinical validation remains limited, so this approach is partly novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Common to both groups:

* Obtaining free and informed consent from the child and at least one parent
* Children of all genders aged 6 to 18
* Children affiliated with or beneficiaries of a social security system

For the Cerebral Palsy group:

* Medical diagnosis of CP according to the SCPE (Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe) definition;
* Unilateral and bilateral impairment;
* Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) = I to III;
* No major cognitive or visual impairments that limit the performance of motor tasks

For the control group:

\- Children free from any disease

Other volunteers included in the protocol (qualitative analysis only (parents and clinicians)):

* Parent(s) of children with CP included in this study;
* Healthcare professionals and researchers involved in monitoring children with CP and/or evaluating the research application within the framework of this study

Exclusion Criteria:

Common to both groups:

* Participants or parent(s) of participants who do not speak French
* Children subject to legal protection measures
* Pregnant or breastfeeding participants

For the Cerebral Palsy group:

* Presence of a cause of neuro-orthopedic disorders other than CP
* Limiting pain
* Surgical procedures performed less than 6 months prior to inclusion in the study
* Any other functional medical intervention that took place 3 months prior to inclusion in the study (e.g., botulinum toxin injections, plaster casts, etc.)
* Medical or surgical interventions planned between visit 1 and visit 2
* Children with a condition other than cerebral palsy that affects their walking ability

Where this trial is running

Dijon

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Cerebral Palsy
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.