Effects of Altering Handle Height of Posterior Walkers

Status Recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

The aims of this study are to investigate what effect altering handle height of posterior walkers has on forces through the walker, posture, efficiency, stability, speed, turning and comfort, and to obtain data which helps therapists understand the bio-mechanics involved during use and if this alters depending on age, posture or strength. All participants will have cerebral palsy. This will allow informed prescription of walkers and identify potential for redesign to improve efficiency, promote strengthening or improve posture to maximise children's potential to continue functional walking into adulthood.

Clinical Trial Description

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) find walking effortful due to weakness, lack of coordination between muscle groups, postural changes, poor balance and altered muscle tone. Walking aids improve efficiency, stability and posture.Posterior walkers were developed in the mid 1980's. There is evidence of their advantages over more traditional anterior walkers, however there is no evidence relating to setting handle height, and little information about bio-mechanics during use.

This is a quantitative pilot study with a cross over design. A purposive sample of approximately 15 children will be recruited from Birmingham Community Healthcare National Health Service (NHS) Trust. Assessments will be carried out at 3 different handle heights, determined by measuring elbow flexion when the participant is standing holding the handles of their walker. Participants will attend two assessments. One at their school, and a second at the University of Birmingham. Forces going through the walker and the participant's feet, range of motion at the trunk, hip and knee, velocity, step and stride length, double support time, physiological cost index, pain, gross motor function, hip abductor strength and ease of turning will be measured.

Analysis of variance with repeated measures will be used to analyse changes across handle heights and multiple linear regression to show associations between the dependent variables studied and identify potential confounding factors. p<0.05 will be considered statistically significant. Effect sizes needed for clinical significance will be considered. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Non-Randomized, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Basic Science

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

Cerebral Palsy

Clinical Trial Details

NCT number	NCT02467829
Study type	Interventional
Source	University of Birmingham
Contact	François-Xavier Li, PhD
Phone	+441214144121
Email	f.x.li@bham.ac.uk
Status	Recruiting
Phase	N/A
Start date	January 2016
Completion date	September 2016

View Details

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Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps, called phases - each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.

Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.