Operant Conditioning of the Soleus Stretch Reflex in Adults With Cerebral Palsy

Description

12 adults with spastic CP will complete 6 baseline sessions and 24 down conditioning sessions held 3 times/week. All clinical and physiological assessments collected at baseline will be reassessed after study completion, and follow ups after 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months. The soleus H reflex (electric analogue of the stretch reflex) will be elicited in all sessions. In each session, participants will complete 20 baseline trials and 225 down conditioning trials to decrease the magnitude of the H-Reflex.

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy, Spastic Cerebral Palsy

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

12 adults with spastic CP will complete 6 baseline sessions and 24 down conditioning sessions held 3 times/week. All clinical and physiological assessments collected at baseline will be reassessed after study completion, and follow ups after 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months. The soleus H reflex (electric analogue of the stretch reflex) will be elicited in all sessions. In each session, participants will complete 20 baseline trials and 225 down conditioning trials to decrease the magnitude of the H-Reflex.

Operant Conditioning of the Soleus Stretch Reflex in Adults With Cerebral Palsy

Operant Conditioning of the Soleus Stretch Reflex in Adults With Cerebral Palsy

Condition
Cerebral Palsy
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

White Plains

Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, United States, 10605

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. Age 18 and above
  • 2. Diagnosis of spastic Cerebral Palsy
  • 3. Gross Motor Function Classification System level I-III
  • 4. Stable medical background
  • 5. Current medication will remain unchanged for 3 months
  • 6. Provides informed consent
  • 7. can walk at least 10 meters with or without assistive device
  • 8. meets minimum study procedure requirements (elicitation of H-reflex).
  • 1. Pregnancy
  • 2. uncontrolled diabetes
  • 3. weak dorsiflexion
  • 4. History of cardiac conditions
  • 5. cognitive deficits that interfere with study procedure and steps for completion
  • 6. Botox within 2 months of the study
  • 7. H/O ankle surgeries in affected leg (Dorsal root rhizotomy etc.)
  • 8. regular use of electrical stimulation to lower extremity muscles
  • 9. Cochlear or metal implantations on body
  • 10. No history of seizure after age 2 years
  • 11. Current use of antiseizure medicines
  • 12. Any metal or magnetic components in the head (surgical clips, metal work etc.)
  • 13. Implanted device or cardiac pacemakers (applicable for DS8R too)
  • 14. Skin disorders
  • 15. Damaged skin (wounds, broken skin, or recent scar tissue)
  • 16. Allergy to latex (tape)

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Burke Medical Research Institute,

Kathleen Friel, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Burke Neurological Institute

Study Record Dates

2026-12-31