Analysis of Trunk and Center of Mass Control Development During Gait in Children With Cerebral Palsy (VERTEBRAL)

NCT ID: NCT06320288

Last Updated: 2026-01-12

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Total Enrollment: 270 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-09-20
• Study Completion Date: 2028-09-30

Brief Summary

During the acquisition of posturokinetic abilities such as walking, postural control of the trunk is of paramount importance. Indeed, its development is strongly linked to the overall motor function of children. In cerebral palsy (CP), a term that refers to a set of motor disorders following a perinatal lesion, deficits in axial control are present from early childhood. These deficits are strongly correlated with the functional deficits observed in this population. In particular, during walking, deviations of the trunk (amplitudes, accelerations) are observed in the three planes of space. While recent literature increasingly questions the impact of trunk control deficit on the walking of children with CP, elements are still missing for a holistic understanding of the interaction between locomotor and postural disorders in children with CP. In particular, no study has focused on the deviations of trunk control and the center of mass (which is a global indicator of balance strategies) during the development and maturation of walking in children with CP. Therefore, the primary objective of this cross-sectional observational study will be to characterize the development of trunk control and center of mass during walking in children with CP.

Conditions

Children With Cerebral Palsy

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: CASE_CONTROL
• Study Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

Children with cerebral palsy

All children will undergo :

• A neuro-articular assessment
• A gait analysis on a walking track and with three inertial units to analyze the behavior of their trunk and center of mass during walking.
• Assessment of gross motor function
• Static posturography
• Functional assessment of the trunk
• Functional assessment of balance

No interventions assigned to this group

Children with typical development

All children will undergo :

• A neuro-articular assessment
• A gait analysis on a walking track and with three inertial units to analyze the behavior of their trunk and center of mass during walking.
• Static posturography
• Functional assessment of the trunk
• Functional assessment of balance

No interventions assigned to this group

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Children (< 18 years) with cerebral palsy
• GMFCS I to III
• Independent walking with or without technical walking aids (walker, crutches, etc.)
• Able to understand the instructions of various clinical assessments and functional explorations
• Affiliated with a social security scheme

Exclusion Criteria

Children with cerebral palsy

• Neuro-orthopaedic surgery of the lower limbs or trunk within the last 12 months
• Botulinum toxin A injections within the last 6 months
• Therapeutic intervention targeting trunk control last 6 months

Typically developing children

• Surgery on lower limbs or trunk last 12 months
• Neurological and/or orthopedic pathology that may influence gait

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Months
• Maximum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Union de Gestion des Etablissements des Caisses d'Assurance Maladie - Nord Est

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Institut Régional de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation

Nancy, , France

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

France

Central Contacts

Jonathan Pierret, PhD

Role: CONTACT

jonathan.pierret@ugecam.assurance-maladie.fr

+33 3 82 52 6761

Facility Contacts

Jonathan Pierret, PhD

Role: primary

jonathan.pierret@ugecam.assurance-maladie.fr

+33 3 82 52 6761

Other Identifiers

2023-A00505-40

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id