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Evaluating Electrical Stimulation for Walking in Children with Cerebral Palsy

This study is looking at whether a gentle electrical stimulation, called Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES), can help children with cerebral palsy (CP) walk better. NMES sends small electrical pulses to muscles to help them work. Researchers will have children with CP walk on a treadmill while receiving NMES on their leg muscles. They want to find the best way to use NMES to improve walking. The study will measure how well participants walk using a tool called the Gait Variable Index (GDI) at the beginning and after 3 weeks. Children aged 7-18 with spastic diplegic CP who can walk with or without help may be able to join. The current status of this study is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 65 participants, including children with cerebral palsy and healthy adults. It will compare different settings of electrical stimulation.
What's involved
Participants will have one pilot session and two assessment sessions. During these sessions, you will walk on a treadmill while receiving electrical stimulation and having your leg movements measured.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your walking ability will be assessed at the start of the study and again at 3 weeks.

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NCT06811545

Evaluating the Effects of an Electrical Stimulator on Improving the Walking Ability of Children With Cerebral Palsy

Not Yet Recruiting
NAAges 7–40InterventionalTreatment
University of Nebraska
~65 participants
Updated 2026-08-19 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Gait Variable Index (GDI)
Measured over Baseline (enrollment) and the end of assessment at 3 weeks

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy Children
Healthy Adults

Explore related trials

Cerebral PalsyHealthy

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Nebraska1

Study leadership

  • Ahad Behboodi, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Nebraska

Who to contact

Ahad Behboodi, PhD
[email protected]
402-554-7525
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age 7-18
Diagnosis of spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP)
GMFCS level I-III (be able to walk with or without assistive devices)
MIGR \< 40% femoral head covering in acetabulum
Crouch, equinus, or jump gait
At least 0° passive dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM)
Sufficient visuoperceptual, cognitive, and communication skills
Seizure-free or well-controlled seizures
No other neurological or musculoskeletal disorders (e.g. dystonia, severe scoliosis, hip instability
Ability to travel to the University of Nebraska at Omaha two times
Ability to communicate pain or discomfort
Ability to obtain child assent and obtain parent/guardian consent
Adults aged 20 to 40
Adults with good physical health
Adults with the ability to follow verbal instructions
Adults with the ability to walk on a treadmill for 15 minutes
No orthopedic surgery on the lower limb within the past 3 months

Exclusion

Diagnosis of athetoid or ataxic cerebral palsy (CP)
Scoliosis with primary curve \> 49%
Spinal fusions extending into the pelvis
Lower Extremity (LE) joint instability or dislocation
Severe tactile hypersensitivity
LE botulinum injections in the past 6 mo
Implanted medical device contraindicative of functional electrical stimulation (FES)
Pregnancy
Severe LE spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale score of 4 or greater)
History of pulmonary disease limiting exercise tolerance (Asthma Control Test screen)
History of cardiac disease (American Heart Association, AH,) screen)
Excessive LE joint pain during walking
Severely limited range of joint motion/ irreversible muscle contractures, i.e.\> 10° knee flexion, \>15° hip flexion contractures, or \>5° plantarflexion contractures
LE surgery or significant injury within 1 yr.
Adults with any chronic illnesses or medical conditions that could impact their health.
Adults with significant behavioral or emotional issues that could indicate developmental disorders or psychological conditions.
Adults with diagnosed developmental disorders (e.g., autism, ADHD, learning disabilities)
Adults with surgery on their lower limb within the past 3 months.

What this trial measures

  • Gait Variable Index (GDI)Baseline (enrollment) and the end of assessment at 3 weeks

    Gait Variable Index (GDI) is an index of gait pathology based on 15 different kinematic measures (bilaterally) or nine unilaterally. The GDI score ranges from 0 to 100 where 100 represents atypically developing's (TD) normal GDI score.