An observational study in Cerebral Palsy, sponsored by University of Missouri-Columbia. Enrolling by invitation at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 7 Years to 17 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-02-19.
Sponsored by University of Missouri-Columbia · Observational
The purpose of the Mizzou emPOWER program is to meet the curricular needs of entry-level doctorate of physical therapy students by providing them the real-world experience of implementing recent evidence surrounding physical therapy dosing for children with cerebral palsy (CP) for power, strength, and gait interventions while meeting an unmet community need.
Beginning in Fall 2024, the investigators will recruit 6 children with CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels I-III, ages 7-17 years old, to participate in the program. Two students will be assigned to each participant, rotating every 4 weeks due to the structure of the pro-bono clinic. A total of 3 faculty members will supervise. The group will meet for 2 hours, 2 times per week for 15 weeks. Each session will include a 10-minute game-based warm-up, 45 minutes of gait interventions to include treadmill and overground walking as well as other aerobic activities, 45 minutes of resistance training (power and strength training as appropriate for their individual goals), and a 10-minute cool-down incorporating yoga and breathing activities. Participant assessments will be completed during the first week, 7th week, and 15th week. Other programmatic assessments will include students' written reflections on their experiences providing this program, caregiver satisfaction surveys, and participant and caregiver interviews.
1,853 studies on the registry are indexed under Cerebral Palsy; 435 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 6 is below the median of 63 across 455 observational studies indexed under Cerebral Palsy.
Browse Cerebral Palsy studies →University of Missouri-Columbia is the lead sponsor of 357 studies on the registry; 70 are open to participants now.
Of its 42 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 28 (67%) have results posted.
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Ambulatory children aged 7-17 years old with Cerebral Palsy (GMFMCS Levels I-III), participating in PhysZou emPOWER program.
Exclusion Criteria:
Strength, power, and gait-based intervention for kids with cerebral palsy is embedded within a curricular pro-bono student physical therapy clinic. The group will meet for 2 hours, 2 times per week for 15 weeks.
Other: PhysZou emPOWER: a strength, power, and gait intervention group physical therapy program for children with CP
Each session will include a 10-minute game-based warm-up, 45 minutes of gait interventions to include treadmill and overground walking as well as other aerobic activities, 45 minutes of resistance training (power and strength training as appropriate for their individual goals), and a 10-minute cool-down incorporating yoga and breathing activities. To ensure participants are exercising at the appropriate level of intensity, 1 repetition maximum measures will be used to determine the appropriate levels of resistance and heart rate monitors will be worn.
1 Repetition Maximum (1-RM) Testing
Particpants will complete strength testing of hip/knee extensors and plantarflexor muscle groups using a leg press, using 1 Rep max testing protocols, as outlined in Pontiff and moreau, 2022. (PMID 35960137)
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
10 meter walk test
Walking speed test of 10 meter distance, completed in both conditions of self selected speed and fast gait speed
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Keiser Leg Press
Assessment of lower extremity power
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Timed up and Down Stairs
Functional measure of how quickly child can climb up and down 1 flight of stairs
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
30 second sit to stands
This is a clinical assessment of lower extremity strength, in which investigators count the number of repetitions of sit to stands completed in 30 seconds.
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
30 second half kneel to stand
This is a clinical assessment of lower extremity strength, in which investigators count the number of repetitions of half kneel to stand complete correctly in a 30 second time period.
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Lateral Step Ups
This is a clinical assessment of lower extremity strength, in which investigators count the number of repetitions of lateral step ups completed in 30 seconds on a standard size 6 inch step.
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88)
This is a criterion referenced measure of gross motor function and is valid and reliable for children with cerebral palsy. It evaluates motor skills that are typical for normal development. Dimensions D and E will be utilized, as these 2 sections assess the overall gross motor function in direct relation to standing, walking, running, and jumping.
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Canadian Occupational Performance Measure
Evidence-based outcome measure designed to capture a client's self-perception of performance in goals they determine before intervention. The measurement focuses on self-care, leisure activities, and productivity. The participant rates their performance and their satisfaction with their performance on a scale from 1-10, with 1 indicating poor performance and low satisfaction, while 10 indicates very good performance and high satisfaction.
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Standing balance with eyes closed standing on firm surface
Participants will stand on a force plate with eyes closed. Postural control information is obtained from the investigators and the force plate tracks the center of pressure of the participant.
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Standing balance with eyes closed standing on firm surface
Joint kinematics (movement strategies) obtained while eyes closed standing on firm surface
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Walking- single task
Walking speed is obtained form spatial sensor
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Walking- single task
Stride length obtained from spatial sensor
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Walking- cognitive dual task
speed of walking will be obtained from spatial sensor while completing appropriate/salient cognitive dual task
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Walking- cognitive dual task
stride length will be obtained from spatial sensor while completing appropriate/salient cognitive dual task
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
5 Times sit to stand test
time to complete and knee joint kinematics obtained from spatial sensor
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Step down
knee joint kinematics obtained from spatial sensor while the participant steps down from a 6 inch curb step
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Jumping
Production of power will be obtained from force plate and spatial sensor
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Jumping
Assessment of knee joint kinematics during jumping will be obtained from force plate and spatial sensor
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Reaction time
measurement of upper extremity reaching reaction
Time frame: Before PT intervention begins (week 1), midpoint of program (Week 7), and last week of program (week 15).
Perspectives of children and caregivers
Semi-structured interviews will provide researchers with the perspective of the children and caregivers who participated in this novel program.
Time frame: Completion of program (Week 15)
Perspectives of children and caregivers
Open ended surveys will provide researchers with the perspective of the children and caregivers who participated in this novel program.
Time frame: Completion of program (Week 15)
Perspectives of Doctor of Physical Therapy Students
Open ended surveys will provide researchers and faculty with the perspective of the learning opportunity from the students
Time frame: Completion of program (week 15)
Plan to share: No
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University of Missouri-Columbia