We’re expanding and updating our Clinical Trials information for Cerebral Palsy research. RFTS partners with leading medical institutions to help recruit for important Cerebral Palsy Clinical Trials. Additional clinical trial studies have been posted. Please check back often for updates.
In addition to Clinicaltrials.gov (featuring a complete list of official clinical trials in the U.S.), here is additional information on specific Cerebral Palsy clinical trials where we’re helping with patient recruitment.
Stanford University: Assessing Impact of Myofascial Structural Integration on Motor Function
The study is not technically limited to children in a certain geography, but it does only take place at Stanford in California and at a private myofascial structural integration therapy studio about 2 miles away. Families in the study commit to 10 therapy sessions and 5 assessment sessions spread out over the course of a year. With so many visits, it usually is not feasible for families outside of the San Francisco Bay Area to participate.
What is Myofascial Structural Integration?
Myofascial Structural Integration as a specific, non-invasive, complementary technique to loosen and realign muscles and joints, which could facilitate improved motor function in young children with spastic cerebral palsy. We hope to see changes in crawling and walking if the child is ambulatory. We also hope that there will be advances in growth and self-care.
Who is Dr. Feldman?
Dr. Feldman is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician. She specializes in working with children who have developmental disabilities. The study came about because she was interested in the potential of myofascial structural integration as a complementary treatment for children with cerebral palsy. Around that time, a medical student at Stanford was interested in working on a research project on movement disorders, so they joined forces and created the project. This study is funded by the Gerber Foundation.
What Can You Expect?
Families of children who participate will usually see a change in their child’s gross motor skills if there is an effect from the therapy. They will also be able to receive a copy of the article that is published from the study. Some families choose to continue the treatment with our study’s therapist after the conclusion of the project. We can also provide resources to families if they are interested in continuing this therapy outside of the study.
University of Delaware: Effect of Botox and Vibration on Muscle and Bone Development
Botox is commonly used to assess muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP), but the effect of Botox on muscle and bone development and on physical activity is poorly studied. It is well-established that children with CP have weaker muscles and bones and participate in less physical activity. One promising treatment for poor muscle and bone development is vibration. Low-level vibration has been shown to improve muscle and bone mass. A few studies have included children with CP. In this study we want to determine the effect of Botox and vibration treatment on muscle, bone and physical activity in children with spastic CP.
The total duration of the study is 6 months. The child will be tested at the baseline (0 month), 1 month, and 6 months. The testing at baseline (0 month) and 6 months is spread over 2 days and the testing at 1 month can be done on a single day. The schedule is very flexible and we try to work per the schedule of the family. Most ofour participants prefer being tested over a weekend. The tests are done at duPont Hospital for the Children at Wilmington, Delaware and the University of Delaware, Delaware.
Ages Eligible for Study: 2 Years to 12 Years
Genders Eligible for Study: Both
Inclusion Criteria:
- Have spastic CP.
- Between 2-12 years of age.
- Recommended for Botox treatment by their physician as part of their clinical care. Those who accept Botox treatment and those who do not accept Botox treatment are both eligible for the study.
- Have not had Botox treatment in the lower extremities within the last 1 year.
- A score of 1-4 on the gross motor function scale (GMFC).
- Do not have metal rods in both legs.
Contact Info: Harsh Singh: Phone number: 302.831.8137; Email – [email protected]
Dan Whitney: Phone number: 302.831.8137; Email – dw[email protected]
Although families from any part of the country are welcome to participate, participation would be most convenient for families living in Delaware, surrounding states like NJ, PA, NY, MD, or Washington DC.
Autologous Cord Blood Study
Duke University Medical Center is conducting a study to test whether an intravenous infusion of a child’s own cord blood cells, banked at the time of their birth, will lessen the symptoms of cerebral palsy. Children, ages 12 months to 6 years, diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy may be eligible for the study if their cord blood cells were banked when they were born.
Leg Motor Coordination Study
Washington University is conducting a research study is to compare how children with cerebral palsy or CP move their legs compared to children who do not have CP. We will also study if how children with CP move affects how their muscles and brains look. Finally, we will study if fast exercise improves motor and brain function. The ultimate goal is to design training programs to help children with CP move better.
