Virtual hand and arm assessments for children with cerebral palsy
Official title: Virtual Hand-Arm Assessments for Children With Cerebral Palsy: Helping Us to Achieve Equity in Rehabilitation Care and Research
Run by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital · NCT07383753 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will see if video visits can measure hand and arm function for children aged 6–17 with cerebral palsy so families can get assessments from home.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 6 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Ajax, Ontario and 2 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 22, 2025 |
| Main results expected | January 2027 |
| Study ends | January 2027 |
| Registry record updated | February 17, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07383753 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children aged 6–17 with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, MACS levels I–III, able to sit for 30 minutes, without recent upper-limb surgery or active treatments, with a caregiver who can participate and home internet/device access.
✕Probably not a fit
Children with MACS IV–V, major cognitive or visual impairments that prevent 30-minute video cooperation, recent botulinum toxin/constraint therapy or upper-limb surgery, or without a suitable device/internet are unlikely to benefit from this virtual assessment approach.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study compares virtual and in-person upper-limb assessments to determine whether standardized tests, goal-based evaluations, and naturalistic observations can be administered reliably by video. Participants are children with cerebral palsy aged 6–17 (MACS I–III) who can sit for about 30 minutes and have a caregiver and home internet/device for video conferencing. Children with recent botulinum toxin, constraint therapy, or upper-limb surgery are excluded to ensure stability of function during measurement. The study is conducted across three Ontario pediatric rehabilitation centers and will collect feasibility, agreement, and family-preference data.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let many families get reliable hand and arm assessments remotely, reducing travel burden and improving access to therapy and research.
How similar studies have gone: Tele-rehabilitation for pediatric CP has shown feasibility in prior work, but comprehensive virtual standardized hand–arm assessment methods remain largely unvalidated and this approach is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Have a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy * Are between 6 to 17 years old with sufficient cognitive capacity and cooperation to sit without a break for 30 minutes at a time * MACS levels I (handles objects easily) to III (handles objects with difficulty) * No visual limitations that would interfere with video conferencing * Has a caregiver willing to participate and can questions about preferences * Have an appropriate device and internet access for video conferencing Exclusion Criteria: \- Active treatments (e.g. Botulinum Toxin injections or constraint therapy in the last two months, or upper extremity surgery in the last 6 months) that might impact upper limb function stability over the study period.
Where it's running
-
Grandview Kids
Ajax, Ontario, Canada Recruiting -
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Recruiting -
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Elaine Biddiss, PhD — Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Bloorview Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Selvi Sert, MEng
- Email: ssert@hollandbloorview.ca
- Phone: 416-425-6220
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.