Promoting Functional Neck Motion in Patients with Cerebral Palsy using a Robotic Neck Brace

项目摘要 脑性瘫痪（CP）是一种非渐进性损害胎儿或发育中的大脑，导致运动 和姿势障碍。粗大运动功能分类系统（GMFCS）用于确定 CP与I-V的功能独立性水平。那些更严重的参与被归类为GMFCS-V， 严重的运动缺陷，以控制头部和躯干在坐姿。他们需要辅助技术， 广泛的个人和环境适应，能够参与社区。头部控制是 也是CP GMFCS-IV患者的重要姿势缺陷。 我们的机器人和康复（ROAR）实验室最近开发了一种机器人颈托， 哥伦比亚大学。我们对健康个体的试验数据证实，这种机器人支架可以用于 援助和培训。这些结果非常令人鼓舞，并为这项建议奠定了基础。我们认为 这项技术创新可以显著改善CP患者的头颈控制。 在这个为期2年的项目中，我们将在CP GMFCS IV-V人群中进行单次研究， 描述他们的头颈控制。然后，我们将测试一个多阶段的培训计划，旨在最大限度地提高 在这个CP亚群中的功能性头部控制。具体目标是： 目的1：描述使用机器人颈托的CP（GMFCS IV-V）儿童的头部控制障碍。 目的2：测试使用机器人颈托进行多阶段运动训练以促进姿势的可行性 脑瘫患儿头部控制，GMFCS IV-V。

Project Summary Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a non-progressive damage in the fetal or developing brain that causes movement and posture disorders. The Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) is used to determine the level of functional independence in CP from I-V. Those more severely involved are classified as GMFCS-V with severe motor deficits to control the head and trunk in sitting position. They require assistive technology, with extensive personal and environmental adaptations, to be able to participate in the community. Head control is also an important postural deficit in people with CP GMFCS-IV. A robotic neck brace has been recently developed by our Robotics and Rehabilitation (ROAR) Laboratory at Columbia University. Our pilot data with healthy individuals confirms that this robotic brace can be used for both assistance and training. These results are highly encouraging and set the stage for this proposal. We believe that this technological innovation can be adapted to significantly improve head-neck control of those with CP. In this 2-year project, we will perform single-session studies in a cohort of people with CP GMFCS IV-V to characterize their head-neck control. We will then test a multi-session training program designed to maximize functional head control in this CP sub-population. The specific aims are: Aim 1: To characterize head control impairments in children with CP, GMFCS IV-V, with a robotic neck brace. Aim 2: To test the feasibility of a multi-session motor training with a robotic neck brace to promote postural head control in children with CP, GMFCS IV-V.