The pathophysiological basis of weakness in children with cerebral palsy.
Margaret Mockford, Janette M Caulton
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20473109Actively Recruiting
Age: 6Months - 9Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID05197764
The Integration of Macroscopic and Microscopic Muscle Properties With Cell Modelling to Feature Altered Neuromuscular Behavior in Cerebral Palsy: 3D-Macroscopic Muscle Architecture in Cerebral Palsy
Led by Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven · Updated on 2026-02-12
229
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven
Lead Sponsor
P
Pulderbos revalidatiecentrum
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how muscle growth changes over time in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP). The study aims to describe how muscles develop as children age and to understand how muscle changes relate to brain injuries, neuromuscular problems, and treatments. This research uses 3D freehand ultrasound to look at muscle structure and compares children with SCP to typically developing children, focusing on two lower limb muscles. The study includes two parts: One follows children aged 2 to 9 years over two years with yearly check-ins, comparing muscle changes across different age groups and severity levels. The second part tracks younger children with brain injuries over two years with five check-ins every six months, relating muscle changes to brain lesion characteristics based on MRI scans. Participants include children with congenital SCP, acquired brain injury, and typically developing peers. Participants undergo muscle ultrasound measurements and provide medical records including brain MRI, treatment details, physical exams, and motor development tests. Researchers measure muscle volume, length, echo-intensity, joint motion, spasticity, strength, and motor skills over two years. Data collection occurs during hospital visits and rehabilitation center appointments, aiming to improve understanding of muscle development and support tailored treatment for children with SCP.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Evaluation of Macroscopic Muscle Growth in Infants and Young Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Who Can Participate
Age: 6Months - 9Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Confirmed diagnosis of spastic cerebral palsy or high risk for spastic cerebral palsy
- Suspected Gross Motor Function Classification Scale levels I-III
- Children aged between 6 months and 9 years
- Ambulatory children (able to walk)
You will not qualify if you...
- Non-ambulatory children
- Botulinum neurotoxin type-A injections within 6 months before enrollment
- Lower limb surgery within 2 years before enrollment
- Muscle surgery at lower limb muscles
- History of selective dorsal rhizotomy
- Presence of ataxia or dystonia
- Severe co-morbidities such as severe epilepsy or severe behavior problems that prevent cooperation
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Long-term Monitoring
Duration - 2 years
Participants are evaluated over a 2-year period with assessments every 6 months to observe muscle growth and related neuromuscular changes.
5 visits every 6 months
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UZ Leuven
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium, 3000
Actively Recruiting
Loading map...
Research Team
N
Nathalie De Beukelaer
L
Lauraine Staut
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
3
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here
Published Research Related To This Trial
Mechanical and material properties of the plantarflexor muscles and Achilles tendon in children with spastic cerebral palsy and typically developing children.
Nicola Theis, Amir A Mohagheghi, Thomas Korff
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27515440Could muscle deformity in children with spastic cerebral palsy be related to an impairment of muscle growth and altered adaptation?
Martin Gough, Adam P Shortland
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22364585Pathophysiology of muscle contractures in cerebral palsy.
Margie A Mathewson, Richard L Lieber
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25479779Cerebral dysgeneses and their influence on fetal muscle development.
H B Sarnat
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3541664Effects of different activity and inactivity paradigms on myosin heavy chain gene expression in striated muscle.
K M Baldwin, F Haddad, New Collective Author
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11133928Reliability of a clinical 3D freehand ultrasound technique: Analyses on healthy and pathological muscles.
Francesco Cenni, Simon-Henri Schless, Lynn Bar-On...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29428080Freehand three-dimensional ultrasound to assess semitendinosus muscle morphology.
Helga Haberfehlner, Huub Maas, Jaap Harlaar...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27271461Longitudinal trajectory of medial gastrocnemius muscle growth in the first years of life.
Nathalie De Beukelaer, Ines Vandekerckhove, Geert Molenberghs...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37786988Morphological Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle Growth in Ambulant Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.
Nathalie De Beukelaer, Ines Vandekerckhove, Ester Huyghe...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36836099