Augmenting Ankle Plantarflexor Function and Walking Capacity in Children With Cerebral Palsy

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to improve walking ability and muscle function in children with cerebral palsy CP, a common cause of physical disability in children. The study focuses on addressing plantarflexor dysfunction, which contributes to slow and inefficient walking patterns in CP. Researchers are evaluating a wearable robotic device that provides targeted ankle resistance for neuromuscular training and adaptive ankle assistance to support walking during challenging tasks. The study includes two main approaches. First, it compares targeted ankle resistance training twice a week for 12 weeks against standard physical therapy and standard treadmill training to see which produces better improvements in muscle control, gait, and mobility. Second, it assesses adaptive ankle assistance compared to standard ankle foot orthoses and walking without any device during walking tests, treadmill exercises, and stair stepping to measure walking capacity and performance. Participants will attend multiple sessions involving different types of gait training and assistive device use. Researchers will measure changes in walking speed, muscle activity, stride length, posture, strength, and performance on walking tests immediately after the intervention, then again at 2 and 12 weeks later. Other assessments include metabolic cost, heart rate, and exertion during walking tasks. The total duration of involvement varies with repeated measures and follow-up evaluations to monitor progress and safety.

Augmenting Ankle Plantarflexor Function in Cerebral Palsy