Kids STEP Study
at UF and Brooks Rehabilitation
STepping Excites Plasticity
The
Kids STEP Study at UF and Brooks Rehabilitation is investigating recovery
of walking in children with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). The study
is directed by Dr. Andrea Behrman, PhD, PT, a physical therapist and researcher
at the University of Florida. This investigation is funded by the Craig
H. Neilsen Foundation (www.chnfoundation.org),
an organization dedicated to spinal cord injury research and recovery. The
Kids STEP Study aims to 1) determine if walking can be restored in children
with incomplete SCI and little to no leg movement 2) identify the neural
pathways that permit recovery of walking
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Download the Kids STEP Study Brochure
Download the Kids STEP Study information for health care professionals
WHAT is involved?
Children enrolled in the study will undergo extensive testing and complete 12 weeks of locomotor training.
TESTING
Tests to examine functional status include:
- Comprehensive muscle and strength tests
- Sensory & motor tests
- Analysis of walking, cycling, kicking, crawling
Tests to examine the child’s injury include:
- Brain & Spinal MRI
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- Reflex testing
TRAINING
Locomotor training is an activity-based therapy to promote plasticity and recovery. Children will participate in 60 sessions of locomotor training, conducted daily (5 days/week) for 12 weeks. Locomotor training is an intensive walking program that uses a treadmill with a harness and partial body weight support, as well as over-ground environments, to practice the task of walking. Children will work closely with therapists, researchers, and trainers to practice walking skills.
WHO can participate?
Children who may participate will be:
- Aged 3-10 years old
- Diagnosed with an incomplete SCI of the cervical or thoracic spinal cord
- Able to walk prior to injury
- Unable to walk for more than one year and have little to no leg movement
Is there a COST to participate?
There is no cost to participate in this study. Tests and training are completed at the University of FL in Gainesville, FL and Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital (www.brooksrehab.org) in Jacksonville, FL (75 miles from UF). Reimbursement for travel and housing expenses is available. If provided, housing will be at the Ronald McDonald House in Gainesville (www.rmhgainesville.com).
FOR MORE INFORMATION
UF Physical Therapy Locomotor Lab: 352-273-5278
Project Coordinator: Emily J. Fox
Email: ejfox@phhp.ufl.edu
Web Site: http://locomotor.phhp.ufl.edu/KidsStepStudy
Kids STEP Study Team Members
University of Florida
PI: Andrea L. Behrman, PhD, PT
Department of Physical Therapy
VA Brain Rehabilitation & Research Center
McKnight Brain Institute
Co-PI: Dena R. Howland, PhD, OT
Department of Neuroscience
VAMC Research Service
McKnight Brain Institute
Department of Physical Therapy
Claudia Senesac, PT, PhD, PCS
Dept. of Neuroscience & McKnight Brain Institute
Paul J. Reier,PhD
Floyd Thompson, PhD
Jeffrey A. Kleim, PhD
(VA Brain Rehabilitation & Research Center)
Brooks Rehabilitation
Louise Spierre, MD
Director of Pediatric Rehabilitation
Jeffrey S. Johns, MD
Associate Medical Director
SCI Program Medical Director
Texas Children’s Hospital
Robert Dauser, MD
Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery
