Power-mobility training to improve use of the weaker arm and hand in children with cerebral palsy
Using Power Mobility Training to Promote Arm & Hand Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy
This study will try using a ride-on power toy with arm- and hand-focused activities to encourage children with cerebral palsy who favor one side to use their less-preferred arm and hand more in daily life.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 10 (estimated) |
| Ages | 3 Years to 8 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Grand Valley State University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Grand Rapids, Michigan) |
| Trial ID | NCT07342348 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This exploratory interventional study uses a ride-on power mobility device fitted with play-based reaching and grasping tasks to encourage use of the more-affected arm and hand in children with cerebral palsy and hemiplegia. Sessions combine navigational/maneuvering practice with embedded bilateral play activities designed to prompt reaching, grasping, and functional use of the less-preferred limb. Eligible participants are ambulatory children who demonstrate significant functional asymmetry between arms, can sit and get on/off the device with minimal help, and meet safety requirements such as appropriate vision and a helmet. The intervention is delivered at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and excludes children with recent arm/hand surgery, insufficient sitting balance, or weight above device limits.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children with cerebral palsy and significant one-sided weakness who can sit and mount a ride-on device, have adequate vision and a properly fitting helmet, and meet the device weight limit and safety criteria.
Not a fit: Children who cannot sit or balance safely on the device, exceed the device weight limit, have had recent arm/hand surgery, or lack sufficient vision or safety to participate are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could increase everyday use and function of the weaker arm and hand, improving independence in bilateral activities.
How similar studies have performed: Early research using power mobility or ride-on toys to motivate limb use has shown promise in increasing engagement with the affected arm, but the approach remains exploratory and not yet widely validated.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of cerebral palsy * Demonstrates significantly less functional use of one arm and hand * Can get on and off the a ride-on toy with minimal assistance from the researchers * Can maintain a sitting position on the a ride-on toy * Has sufficient functional vision to safely maneuver the a ride-on toy * Has their own bicycle helmet that fits them well and is in good working condition Exclusion Criteria: * Hand or arm surgery within the past 6 months * Their weight exceeds device limits (more than 120 pounds) * They do not demonstrate sufficient balance and control in sitting to safely use the ride-on toy * If they cannot safely participate in arm- and hand-use focused power mobility training activities.
Where this trial is running
Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Grand Valley State University — Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Lisa K. Kenyon, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS — Grand Valley State University
- Study coordinator: Lisa K. Kenyon, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS
- Email: kenyonli@gvsu.edu
- Phone: 616-331-5653
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.