ClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT05161494GAGAUpdated May 7, 2026

Gait in Rare Diseases

An observational study in Tuberous Sclerosis and STXBP1 Encephalopathy With Epilepsy, sponsored by Universiteit Antwerpen. Completed at 1 site in Belgium. Open to participants aged 6 Years to 25 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-07.

Sponsored by Universiteit Antwerpen · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
41
Ages
6 Years to 25 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The aim of this pilot study is to explore whether the knowledge and experience gained during the T-GaiD project (Treatment of Gait Disorders in Dravet Syndrome - NCT03857451) can be transferred to other populations with similar problems, i.e. motor and gait problems as a result of a genetic disorder characterized by epilepsy and developmental delay. In this pilot study, 40 people with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and 30 people with STXBP1 will be recruited via the Antwerp University Hospital and invited for a gait analysis in the M²OCEAN movement lab. The aim of the pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility of the 3D gait analysis protocol and to determine the sensitivity of the primary (summative measure of the severity of gait abnormalities) and the secondary (spatio-temporal and kinematic gait parameters) outcome measures.

Read the detailed description

Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of rare disorders that usually have a genetic cause, each characterized by specific clinical features. Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC or Bourneville's disease), for example, is characterized by the formation of benign tumors, which can develop in almost all organs and tissues. The symptoms vary greatly from person to person, also within one and the same family. Some patients show only limited skin abnormalities, other patients have more affected organs and sometimes become heavily dependent on help. The group of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) are genetic neurological disorders that are characterized by epileptic seizures, which usually occur at a (very) young age, and a developmental delay that often leads to an intellectual disability. STXBP1 encephalopathy (STXBP1-E) is an example of an DEE where, in addition to epileptic seizures and developmental delay, motor disorders and gait abnormalities are also frequently seen.

To date, very little is known about motor development in children with TSC and DEE such as STXBP1-RD. Prospective research in the EPISTOP cohort showed that motor development is often delayed in the first years of life, especially in children who also show characteristics of. In clinical practice, we observe progressively increasing gait problems in a number of children that can lead to loss of autonomous steps at a young adult age. A recent study in adult patients with STXBP1-RD showed that about half of the patients were able to walk in adulthood and that those who could walk often had significant gait problems, which appear to be multifactorial in nature.

The ultimate goal of this project is to characterize gait patterns in children, adolescents and young adults with rare genetic disorders, in order to gain new insights into the pathomechanisms of motor and mobility problems. In the long run, these insights will be indispensable for providing an adequate, scientifically substantiated treatment to reduce and, if possible, prevent the gait disorders.

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Conditions studied

  • Tuberous Sclerosis
  • STXBP1 Encephalopathy With Epilepsy

Keywords

  • gait
  • movement disorders
  • biomechanics
  • kinematics
03

In context

Tuberous Sclerosis

115 studies on the registry are indexed under Tuberous Sclerosis; 27 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 41 is below the median of 150 across 37 observational studies indexed under Tuberous Sclerosis.

Browse Tuberous Sclerosis studies →

Lead sponsor

Universiteit Antwerpen is the lead sponsor of 135 studies on the registry; 32 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
6 Years to 25 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

Children, adolescents and young adults diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex in Belgium

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis complex according to the criteria of Northrup et al. (2012)
  • aged 6 years or older
  • being able to walk without aids for a minimum distance of 6 meters

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • severe epileptic seizure (status epilepticus or tonic-clonic insult over 3 min) within the 24 hours before the assessment
  • insufficient cooperation to perform 3D gait analysis
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Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
41 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No
06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Gait Profile Score (degrees)

    To obtain a summary index of overall gait pathology, the Gait Profile Score will be calculated based on nine relevant lower limb joint angular time profiles collected during 3D gait analysis. These are anterior pelvic tilt, pelvic list, pelvic rotation, hip flexion and extension, hip ad- and abduction, hip rotation, knee flexion and extension, ankle dorsi- and plantar flexion and the foot progression angle. The gait profile score provides the average root mean squared error of the joint angular time profile with respect to normal walking and is presented in degrees. Higher values indicate a larger deviations from normal gait.

    Time frame: baseline (at intake)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Lower limb kinematics during walking (degrees)

    The gait pattern is assessed by instrumented 3D gait analysis using the standardized Vicon Clinical Gait Model. Joint rotation angles of the major joints of the lower limbs will be described during walking.

    Time frame: baseline (at intake)

  2. Functional Mobility Scale

    Functional mobility will be assessed during parent interview using the Functional Mobility Scale (FMS). The FMS is a 6-point scale with maximum score of 6 being the most functional outcome (independent on all surfaces) and minimum score of 1 being the least functional outcome (uses wheelchair)

    Time frame: baseline (at intake)

  3. Mobility Questionnaire 28

    Mobility limitations during daily activities inside and outside of the house will be assessed during parent interview using the validated Dutch translation of the Mobility Questionnaire 28 (MobQuest28), Dutch version: MobiliteitsVragenlijst 28 (MoVra28). The MobQuest28/MoVra28 consists of 28 items with a 5-point rating scale (0 = without any difficulties to 4 = impossible without help). A total score (0-100) indicates the mobility limitations.

    Time frame: baseline (at intake)

Other outcomes

  1. Age (years)

    Age of the participant in years

    Time frame: baseline (at intake)

  2. Gender

    gender of the participant as m/f/x

    Time frame: baseline (at intake)

  3. body height in centimeters

    body height will be measured in standing position using a ruler and expressed in centimeters

    Time frame: baseline (at intake)

  4. weight in kilograms

    weight in kilograms will be measured using a calibrated scale

    Time frame: baseline (at intake)

  5. body mass index

    height (in centimeters) and weight (in kilograms) will be combined to determine the body mass index

    Time frame: baseline (at intake)

  6. leg length in centimeters

    leg length in centimeters will be measured from the anterior superior iliac spine to the medial malleolus, using a tape measure

    Time frame: baseline (at intake)

  7. Passive joint range of motion

    Passive joint range of motion (in degrees) will be measured during clinical examination using a goniometer

    Time frame: baseline (at intake)

  8. Skeletal alignment

    Skeletal alignment (in degrees) will be measured during clinical examination using a goniometer. Skeletal malformations such as hyperlordosis, kyphosis, bow legs, pes valgus and pes planovalgus will be recorded.

    Time frame: baseline (at intake)

  9. Muscle length

    Hamstrings length (popliteal angle in degrees) and iliopsoas length (Thomas test in degrees) will be measured during clinical examination using a goniometer

    Time frame: baseline (at intake)

  10. Selective muscle strength on the Medical Research Council muscle scale

    The Medical Research Council muscle scale is a 6-point scale with minimum score 0 = no muscle contraction and maximum score 5 = normal muscle power.

    Time frame: baseline (at intake)

07

Study locations

1 site
  • University of Antwerp
    Antwerp, 2160, Belgium
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Dallmeijer AJ, Scholtes VA, Becher J, Roorda LD. Measuring mobility limitations in children with cerebral palsy: Rasch model fit of a mobility questionnaire, MobQues28. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2011 Apr;92(4):640-5. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2010.11.002. PubMed 21440711 ↗
  • Desloovere K, Molenaers G, Feys H, Huenaerts C, Callewaert B, Van de Walle P. Do dynamic and static clinical measurements correlate with gait analysis parameters in children with cerebral palsy? Gait Posture. 2006 Nov;24(3):302-13. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2005.10.008. Epub 2005 Nov 21. PubMed 16303305 ↗
  • Graham HK, Harvey A, Rodda J, Nattrass GR, Pirpiris M. The Functional Mobility Scale (FMS). J Pediatr Orthop. 2004 Sep-Oct;24(5):514-20. doi: 10.1097/00004694-200409000-00011. PubMed 15308901 ↗
  • Hallemans A, Beccu S, Van Loock K, Ortibus E, Truijen S, Aerts P. Visual deprivation leads to gait adaptations that are age- and context-specific: I. Step-time parameters. Gait Posture. 2009 Jul;30(1):55-9. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2009.02.018. Epub 2009 Apr 1. PubMed 19342241 ↗
  • Hallemans A, Beccu S, Van Loock K, Ortibus E, Truijen S, Aerts P. Visual deprivation leads to gait adaptations that are age- and context-specific: II. Kinematic parameters. Gait Posture. 2009 Oct;30(3):307-11. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2009.05.017. Epub 2009 Jun 27. PubMed 19560925 ↗
  • Hallemans A, Verbecque E, Dumas R, Cheze L, Van Hamme A, Robert T. Developmental changes in spatial margin of stability in typically developing children relate to the mechanics of gait. Gait Posture. 2018 Jun;63:33-38. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.04.019. Epub 2018 Apr 18. PubMed 29705520 ↗
  • Kadaba MP, Ramakrishnan HK, Wootten ME. Measurement of lower extremity kinematics during level walking. J Orthop Res. 1990 May;8(3):383-92. doi: 10.1002/jor.1100080310. PubMed 2324857 ↗
  • Meyns P, Van de Walle P, Desloovere K, Janssens S, Van Sever S, Hallemans A. Age-related differences in interlimb coordination during typical gait: An observational study. Gait Posture. 2020 Sep;81:109-115. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.07.013. Epub 2020 Jul 17. PubMed 32707402 ↗
  • Moavero R, Benvenuto A, Emberti Gialloreti L, Siracusano M, Kotulska K, Weschke B, Riney K, Jansen FE, Feucht M, Krsek P, Nabbout R, Jansen AC, Wojdan K, Borkowska J, Sadowski K, Hertzberg C, Hulshof H, Samueli S, Benova B, Aronica E, Kwiatkowski DJ, Lagae L, Jozwiak S, Curatolo P. Early Clinical Predictors of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Infants with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: Results from the EPISTOP Study. J Clin Med. 2019 Jun 3;8(6):788. doi: 10.3390/jcm8060788. PubMed 31163675 ↗
  • Northrup H, Krueger DA; International Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Consensus Group. Tuberous sclerosis complex diagnostic criteria update: recommendations of the 2012 Iinternational Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Consensus Conference. Pediatr Neurol. 2013 Oct;49(4):243-54. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2013.08.001. PubMed 24053982 ↗
  • Wyers L, Verheyen K, Ceulemans B, Schoonjans AS, Desloovere K, Van de Walle P, Hallemans A. The mechanics behind gait problems in patients with Dravet Syndrome. Gait Posture. 2021 Feb;84:321-328. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.12.029. Epub 2020 Dec 31. PubMed 33445141 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reached

Ran from Jan 2022 to primary completion in Jul 2025, 41 months.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Nov 30, 2021
First posted
Dec 17, 2021
StartActual
Jan 25, 2022
Primary completionActual
Jul 1, 2025
CompletionActual
Jan 30, 2026
Last update
May 7, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on May 7, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05161494
Responsible party
Ann Hallemans (Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Head of the Multidisciplinary Motor Center Antwerp, Universiteit Antwerpen) — Principal investigator
First posted
Dec 17, 2021
Start date
Jan 25, 2022
Primary completion
Jul 1, 2025
Completion
Jan 30, 2026
Last update
May 7, 2026

Study contacts

Anna Jansen, MD, PhD
principal investigator · University Hospital, Antwerp

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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