Boys Town

This research focuses on individuals with cerebral palsy who often experience reduced physical activity, which negatively affects their overall health. The study aims to evaluate whether behavioral coaching can help increase the number of daily steps taken by these individuals. It also looks at changes in brain activity and functional mobility after the intervention. Participants with cerebral palsy will undergo baseline neuroimaging and clinical assessments before beginning an 8-week program of behavioral coaching. During this period, they will receive motivational interviewing sessions three times a week via video calls, guided by trained staff to encourage increased daily movement and address barriers. After the 8 weeks, they will repeat the same assessments to measure changes. Throughout the study, participants will wear physical activity monitors to track their steps. Researchers will evaluate changes in mobility test times, sit-to-stand times, timed up and go tests, and brain activity from baseline to 8 weeks. The total participation includes initial and follow-up testing alongside the coaching period, allowing detailed observation of physical and neurological changes.

Researchers are investigating the neural activity in the brain and spinal cord of people with cerebral palsy CP, a common pediatric motor disability caused by brain injury during development. The study aims to understand how sensorimotor cortical activity, spinal cord activity, and their connections differ in people with CP compared to those without neurological issues. The study also explores how these brain and spinal cord functions relate to the physical symptoms of CP. The study evaluates the effects of transcutaneous current stimulation, a noninvasive method applying low electrical currents over the cortex and spinal cord, on neural activity. Participants include both individuals with CP and neurotypical controls. The trial has a randomized, double-blind design comparing stimulation versus sham treatments to assess changes in neural activity and their links to clinical presentations. Participants will undergo clinical assessments of motor and sensory functions, brain and spinal cord MRI scans, MEG brain imaging, and Hoffman reflex tests. They will also receive transcutaneous current stimulation sessions. Researchers will measure changes in neural activity, motor performance, and sensory acuity. The study involves multiple one-hour assessments and a 30-minute stimulation. The total participation period and follow-up details extend up to the studys completion in 2029.