Actively Recruiting
Deep Phenotyping Gait Deficits in Orthopedic Manifestations of Pediatric Cancer Patients
Led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · Updated on 2026-06-04
300
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how walking difficulties affect children and teens with cancer who have undergone orthopedic surgery on their lower limbs. This study focuses on conditions like bone sarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and steroid-induced avascular necrosis. The goal is to understand the severity of gait problems, how they change over time, and what factors influence recovery and mobility. Healthy children without cancer are also included to provide a comparison for walking patterns. Participants who have cancer-related orthopedic surgery will be assessed multiple times: before surgery, then 1, 2, and 5 years after surgery. They will also wear sensors at home for a week after the 1-year visit. Healthy participants matched by age and sex will take part once around the time the surgery group reaches their 1-year visit. The study uses advanced tools like 3D motion capture, muscle sensors, force plates, and wearable devices to measure detailed walking patterns, speeds, and muscle activity. Participants will complete laboratory walking tests, functional evaluations, surveys, and a week-long home monitoring with wearable sensors. Researchers will measure gait speed as the primary outcome, along with joint movement, muscle function, balance, endurance, and patient-reported outcomes. The study will follow patients for up to five years to track changes and identify risk factors affecting walking ability and quality of life. Healthy controls will help establish normal reference values for comparison.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Deep Phenotyping Gait Deficits in Orthopedic Manifestations of Pediatric Cancer Patients
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Participant requires orthopedic surgery due to lower limb bone sarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, or steroid-induced avascular necrosis and will receive follow-up care at St. Jude.
- Participant is between 5 and 20 years old at enrollment.
- Healthy participants aged 5 to 20 years who consider themselves healthy for their age.
- Healthy participants able to engage in normal daily activities appropriate for their age.
You will not qualify if you...
- Individuals with genetic or congenital disorders affecting walking (e.g., cerebral palsy).
- Individuals unable to follow age-appropriate instructions during gait assessments.
- Individuals unwilling or unable to provide written informed consent.
- Individuals diagnosed with radiation-induced avascular necrosis.
- Healthy controls with health conditions affecting walking or mobility, including diabetes with circulation issues, malignant cancers, neurological conditions, pregnancy, obesity (BMI >40), severe heart or lung disease, major surgery affecting mobility, infections or inflammatory joint diseases, or severe mobility impairment requiring full-time mobility aids.
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Single visit for healthy controls; baseline visit before surgery for surgical participants
Participants complete lab-based walking tests, functional assessments, questionnaires, and wearable sensor assessments to evaluate walking ability before surgery or for healthy controls.
1 visit (in-person) for healthy controls; 1 visit (in-person) before surgery for surgical participants
Duration - Up to 5 years
Participants in the surgery cohort are assessed at 1, 2, and 5 years after surgery with lab tests, functional assessments, and questionnaires. They also complete a 7-day at home wearable sensor monitoring period after the 1 year visit to track real-world walking.
3 in-person visits (1, 2, and 5 years post-surgery) plus a 7-day at home sensor monitoring after the 1 year visit
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee, United States, 38105
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Joshua Burns, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
2
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