Em-power: Maximizing Functional Independence for Children With Severe Cerebral Palsy

Enrolling by invitation · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Cerebral Palsy

In brief

For children with severe cerebral palsy, a powered wheelchair (PWC) may provide their only option for functional mobility and independence. PWC use is often restricted to a small percentage of children who can quickly demonstrate proficient PWC skills within a single 30-minute PWC trial. This 2-arm, parallel group, single blinded, pre-test-post-test randomized controlled trial will test our hypothesis that an 8-week PWC skills training intervention will produce greater improvements in children's PWC skills capacity immediately after the intervention and at an 8-week follow-up assessment.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06347432

Run by

Grand Valley State University

People needed

16

Starts

2024-08-29

Expected to finish

2027-03-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-04-14

Who can join

Age: 5 and older, up to 17. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Diagnosis of severe CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System Level IV or V)
• Inability to functionally walk or functionally propel a manual wheelchair as assessed by the Principal Investigator a licensed physical therapist
• Demonstrate cause and effect skills in the IndieTrainer consistent with an Assessment of Learning Powered mobility use (ALP Assessment) Phase 4 or higher (i.e., understand that they are moving the IndieTrainer using the switch(es) or joystick) as assessed by the Principal Investigator, a licensed physical therapist.
• In addition, one parent/caregiver must be conversant in English and be able to provide their child's medical and health history and be willing to take on the parent participant role.

You may not qualify if…

• The inability to sit in their own manual wheelchair or adaptive stroller for 60 minutes (as this would preclude them safely using the IndieTrainer System for the 60-minute intervention sessions)
• Their manual wheelchair or adaptive stroller cannot be safely used with the IndieTrainer System
• They already have an individually prescribed power wheelchair
• If the Principal Investigator, a licensed physical therapist, determines that based on the child's medical and health history, that they cannot safely participate in power wheelchair skills training.

Where it is running

• Grand Valley State University — Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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