Motor Function

Researchers are investigating the relationship between functional measures of balance and gait and objective kinetic and kinematic parameters in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This cross-sectional observational study aims to understand how biomechanical gait and balance data collected through the Vicon motion analysis system relate to clinical assessments of balance, gait, and physical performance. The study seeks to identify which biomechanical factors are most closely linked to functional abilities and mobility challenges in MS. Participants will attend a single laboratory session where they will undergo biomechanical analysis of balance and gait using the Vicon motion capture system. They will also complete standardized functional tests including the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test, Functional Gait Assessment, Short Physical Performance Battery, and a 2-Minute Walk Test. Additionally, they will fill out questionnaires assessing fear of falling and fatigue and have their lower-limb spasticity evaluated with the modified Ashworth Scale. During the session, which takes about 40 minutes for the primary kinetic and kinematic analysis and additional time for functional assessments, researchers will collect detailed movement data alongside clinical measures. This data will be analyzed to explore correlations between biomechanical parameters and functional outcomes. The study includes assessments of postural control, gait performance, physical endurance, fatigue, and spasticity. The findings aim to improve understanding of movement impairments in MS and support better clinical assessments and rehabilitation approaches.

Researchers are evaluating a digital health intervention called PROMOTE to support lung cancer survivors undergoing treatment aimed at cure. The study focuses on people with stages I-III non-small cell lung cancer receiving chemotherapy with curative intent. It aims to improve physical function, manage breathlessness and sleep problems, increase physical activity, encourage healthy eating, and enhance overall wellbeing. The trial compares PROMOTE to enhanced usual care, including educational materials, to see which better supports survivors' health and quality of life. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receives the PROMOTE app delivered on a tablet, which includes educational modules and behavioral strategies for managing symptoms and improving lifestyle; the other group receives standard oncology care plus health education materials from the American Cancer Society. The intervention lasts about 10 to 12 weeks, during which participants use the app at their own pace alongside usual cancer treatment. Throughout the study, participants complete surveys at enrollment and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks to track changes in physical function, breathing difficulties, sleep disturbance, physical activity, diet, mood, and quality of life. The study also monitors participants' confidence in managing their health and coping skills. After 24 weeks, those in the control group will have the option to access the PROMOTE app. The total participation time spans about 24 weeks from enrollment to final assessment.

Researchers are studying brain activation patterns in stroke patients during mirror movement to understand upper limb function. This observational study focuses on patients who have had their first stroke, either cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage, with specific muscle strength and muscle tone conditions. The study takes place in a hospital rehabilitation ward where patients receive detailed information and provide informed consent before participation. The study involves two types of hand movements: mirror image and healthy hand movement. In the mirror image intervention, patients place their affected hand in a mirror box and observe the reflection of the healthy hand moving, imagining the affected hand performing the same actions. In the healthy hand movement intervention, patients quickly open and grasp their healthy hand while focusing on the affected hand. The primary outcome is brain activation measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) after one week of hand function rehabilitation training. Participants will be closely monitored throughout the trial with full communication and support from the research team. The study involves observing brain activation and hand movement activity with attention to patients' questions and responses. The total participation period includes the initial week of rehabilitation training followed by assessments to measure the brain's response to the interventions.

Researchers are evaluating how supportive environments, policies, and practices in licensed childcare centers in British Columbia (BC) can increase physical activity and motor skills among children aged 2.5 to 6 years. The study builds on provincial Active Play Standards and the Appetite to Play program, aiming to assess the impact of an enhanced intervention called Appetite to Play + that supports childcare providers in sustaining active play best practices. The Appetite to Play + intervention includes advanced training for childcare managers and staff through workshops and e-learning modules focused on physical literacy, fundamental movement skills, and creating supportive environments for active play and healthy eating. Childcare centers participating in the study are randomized to either receive this intervention immediately or after a 3-month waitlist period, with the control group having access to standard Appetite to Play materials. Participants, including childcare managers, staff, and children, will be involved in baseline and follow-up assessments up to 6 months post-intervention. Researchers will measure changes in active play practices at childcare centers and children's motor skill development, along with characteristics of childcare settings and providers. The study includes questionnaires, observations, and data collection at multiple time points to monitor adherence and outcomes throughout the trial.

Researchers are evaluating a low-cost augmented reality platform for balance training in patients with balance disorders caused by degenerative injuries or cerebrovascular diseases. The study aims to determine if the system is usable, acceptable, safe, and if it improves balance. The trial is a usability study conducted by the Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute. The intervention has two phases: the first phase lasts four weeks with supervised balance training sessions at the hospital, conducted for 60 minutes, three times a week. If patients meet inclusion criteria, the intervention continues for two additional weeks at home with a family member trained to assist as a training partner. The platform uses different exercise protocols accessed through RGSweb, including balance and sit-to-stand exercises with visual targets and movement tracking. Participants undergo three assessments: before treatment (Day 0), after the hospital phase (Week 4), and after the home phase (Week 6). Evaluations include usability scales, adherence measures, balance tests like the Berg Balance Scale, postural sway, sit-to-stand tests, balance confidence, and quality of life questionnaires. Safety is monitored throughout, and adherence is tracked during both hospital and home interventions.

Researchers are evaluating a 12-week home-based mobile health (mHealth) intervention called the Shining Star study, aimed at improving adherence to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines among preschool-aged children (3-4 years old) who currently meet zero or one of the guidelines for physical activity, screen time, and sleep. The trial seeks to determine if the intervention increases the number of children meeting all three guidelines and if the program is feasible for parents to implement. This randomized controlled trial compares an intervention group using the app to a waitlist control group. Participants in the intervention group will use the Shining Star mobile app, which delivers weekly lessons and behavior-related goals through concise messages, gamification features, behavior trackers, and a parent forum. The control group will receive no intervention during the initial 12 weeks but will complete the same assessments as the intervention group. After 12 weeks, control group participants will gain access to the app and resources. Physical activity and sleep will be tracked with accelerometers, and parents will complete questionnaires. Children's physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep patterns will be assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks using accelerometers. Parents will provide feedback on their child's movement behaviors, development, and app usability through questionnaires and weekly surveys. Additional measures include motor skills tests, cognition assessments, behavioral problems, executive function, and BMI. Data will be securely stored and analyzed to evaluate the intervention's impact and app feasibility over the 12-week period.

Researchers are developing a multicenter registry to collect and share data on pediatric patients who have undergone deep brain stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders such as dystonia, epilepsy, Tourette syndrome, and mood disorders. The study aims to improve understanding of DBS safety and effectiveness in children, as current data are limited and individual centers often have too few cases for strong research. This registry will support large-scale analyses and help refine DBS as a treatment option for hyperkinetic movement disorders in the pediatric population. The study involves gathering both retrospective and prospective clinical data from multiple pediatric centers. The registry will collect information on surgical techniques, patient outcomes, implant sites, and long-term effects of DBS. This collaborative data-sharing approach enables comprehensive evaluation of which patients benefit most from DBS and how it impacts their quality of life over time. Participants include children aged 0 to 18 years who have already received or are scheduled to receive DBS for neurological movement disorders. Data will be collected over five years to monitor safety, efficacy, and quality of life outcomes. The study does not involve treatment administration but focuses on gathering and analyzing clinical information. Parental or legal guardian consent is required for prospective participation.

Researchers are evaluating a patient-centered, low-burden intervention designed to improve the measurement of functional status in older Veterans receiving care in VA primary care settings. Functional status refers to the ability to perform daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and preparing meals, which is vital for quality of life and independence. The study aims to increase identification and management of functional impairment and frailty to inform better care and strategic planning for long-term services and supports. The intervention includes routine, standardized functional status measurement combined with nursing screening, follow-up assessments by primary care providers, electronic tools for screening and documentation, educational sessions for care teams, and tailored reports. The study begins with a 3-month run-in period using standard implementation strategies like champions and system-level audit and feedback. Sites with lower screening uptake will be randomly assigned to receive either continued standard strategies or enhanced strategies including technical assistance and clinician-level audit and feedback, followed by crossover and further standard implementation periods. Participants will be Veterans aged over 60 who receive care in VA primary care after the study starts. Researchers will monitor changes in screening reach, clinical effectiveness, adoption, fidelity, patient experience, and sustainability over 24 months. Data from electronic health records and functional status assessments will be collected regularly. The study measures outcomes at multiple time points up to two years to evaluate the impact of the intervention on managing functional impairment and frailty among older Veterans.

Researchers are monitoring people with advanced idiopathic Parkinson's Disease who have moderate to severe motor symptoms that do not respond well to medication. This study is an international, observational registry following patients who have undergone a unilateral pallidotomy using the Exablate Neuro device. The goal is to collect long-term information about this treatment after its approval. The treatment involves a focused ultrasound procedure called unilateral pallidotomy performed with the Exablate Model 4000 system. This registry will observe patients who have already received this procedure as part of their standard care. No additional treatment is given as part of the study. Patients will be followed with visits at 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure, and then annually for up to 5 years. During the follow-up visits, researchers will collect information including any side effects, medication use, motor function scores, dyskinesia severity, quality of life, work productivity, and overall impressions from both doctors and patients. Safety and effectiveness will be assessed mainly by tracking responder outcomes over five years. Participants will be closely monitored throughout the study period, which may last up to five years from the time of the procedure.

Researchers are studying older adults aged 65 and above who are pre-frail or mildly frail to evaluate the effects of Whole Body Vibration Training (WBVT) combined with usual care compared to usual care alone. This trial aims to improve muscle mass, strength, and function, addressing the challenges of traditional exercise programs that many older adults find difficult to follow due to physical or cognitive limitations. The study focuses on measuring muscle strength and physical function changes after interventions. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will receive WBVT along with usual care, and the other will receive only usual care. WBVT sessions use the Galileo Vibration machine three times a week for four weeks, progressively increasing vibration frequency, squat angles, and session duration. Both groups will receive instruction on Otago exercises to be done at home, with encouragement to continue aerobic activities like brisk walking. Exercise and falls diaries will be kept for up to three months. Participants will undergo assessments before the intervention, two weeks after, and three months after. These include measurements of knee extension strength, hand grip strength, muscle mass, gait speed, chair stands, calf circumference, physical activity levels, and quality of life. Falls, emergency visits, hospitalizations, and mortality will also be tracked for one year. The study includes surveys and interviews to evaluate feasibility and accessibility, with adherence monitored by reminders and diaries.