NCT01773369

Brief Summary

Early childhood injuries such as perinatal (around birth) stroke are devastating because the child lives with the problem for life, typically close to a normal lifespan. One 'opportunity' presented by a brain injury early in life compared to later in adulthood is that the young brain is much more plastic (malleable) and receptive to interventions. This is particularly true for neural circuits that are still under development. We will test the hypothesis that early (\<2 yr old), intensive leg training will improve walking more than no training or training at \>2 yr old. We will further determine the changes induced by training in motor and sensory pathways.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
33

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Nov 2012

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 1, 2012

Completed
29 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

November 30, 2012

Completed
2 months until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 23, 2013

Completed
6.4 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 25, 2019

Completed
1.4 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

November 2, 2020

Completed
Last Updated

November 5, 2020

Status Verified

November 1, 2020

Enrollment Period

6.6 years

First QC Date

November 30, 2012

Last Update Submit

November 4, 2020

Conditions

Keywords

cerebral palsyphysical therapyrehabilitationhemiplegia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in Gross Motor Function Measure - 66 (GMFM-66) from baseline

    This is a 66 item criterion-referenced observational measure to assess change in gross motor function of children with cerebral palsy. Two measures will occur within two weeks prior to beginning training/delay phase (called pre baseline and baseline), monthly measures will occur thereafter for 6 months, then one final assessment when the child turns 4 years old, for a total of 9 measures.

    Pre baseline, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months and at 4 years of age

Secondary Outcomes (5)

  • Change in kinematics and forces during treadmill walking from baseline

    Pre baseline, 3 months, 6 months

  • Change in tendon reflexes from baseline

    Pre baseline, 3 months, 6 months and at 4 years of age

  • Change in transcranial magnetic stimulation from baseline

    Pre baseline, 3 months, 6 months, at 4 years of age

  • Change in activity monitored at home from baseline

    Pre baseline, 3 months, 6 months, at 4 years of age

  • Gait analysis

    At 4 years of age

Study Arms (4)

Early treatment group

EXPERIMENTAL

These children will undergo the intervention (i.e., early leg training) shortly after recruitment. Measures will be taken before, during and after the intervention.

Behavioral: Early leg training

Delayed treatment group

EXPERIMENTAL

These children will undergo the intervention (delayed leg training) after a delay of \~3 months, during which outcome measures will be taken so that they can serve as a control for the early treatment group. Their intervention is identical to the Immediate treatment group.

Behavioral: Delayed leg training

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

These children will be recruited close to the age of 4 years old, and will only undergo gait analysis and GMFM-66 scoring.

Parent training group

EXPERIMENTAL

These children will undergo the intervention (i.e., parent leg training) shortly after recruitment. Parents will be trained to provide the intervention instead of a physical therapist. Measures will be taken before, during and after the intervention.

Behavioral: Parent leg training

Interventions

Children will engage in \~1 hour/day, 4 days/week treatment for 3 months. The treadmill will consist of supported walking on a treadmill, over ground, stair climbing, standing, kicking, splashing ... etc. leg activity. Activities will be directed by a physical therapist in the clinical setting.

Early treatment group

The training activity will be exactly the same as the Early leg training group, except that it will occur \~3 months after recruitment.

Delayed treatment group

Children will engage in \~1 hour/day, 4 days/week treatment for 3 months. The treadmill will consist of supported walking on a treadmill, over ground, stair climbing, standing, kicking, splashing ... etc. leg activity. Activities will be directed by parents in their home or community environment.

Parent training group

Eligibility Criteria

Age8 Months - 4 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17)

You may qualify if:

  • hemiplegia with confirmation of perinatal stroke through magnetic resonance imaging
  • born near term (\> or equal to 36 weeks gestation)
  • current age between 8 months to 3.0 years old; or currently 4 years old (control)
  • no other neurological disorders
  • informed consent from parent or guardian

You may not qualify if:

  • central nervous system injury besides the one-sided stroke
  • musculoskeletal problems that limit leg activity
  • cognitive, behavioral or developmental impairments that preclude participation in the protocol
  • unstable epileptic seizures within the last 6 months
  • any contraindications to transcranial magnetic stimulation
  • Botox injection in the legs over the last 6 months

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

Alberta Children's Hospital

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Location

University of Alberta

Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G4, Canada

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Hurd C, Livingstone D, Brunton K, Smith A, Gorassini M, Watt MJ, Andersen J, Kirton A, Yang JF. Early, Intensive, Lower Extremity Rehabilitation Shows Preliminary Efficacy After Perinatal Stroke: Results of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2022 Jun;36(6):360-370. doi: 10.1177/15459683221090931. Epub 2022 Apr 15.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cerebral PalsyHemiplegia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Damage, ChronicBrain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesParalysisNeurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

  • Jaynie Yang, PhD

    University of Alberta

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
  • Monica Gorassini, PhD

    University of Alberta

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
FACTORIAL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

November 30, 2012

First Posted

January 23, 2013

Study Start

November 1, 2012

Primary Completion

June 25, 2019

Study Completion

November 2, 2020

Last Updated

November 5, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-11

Locations