Promoting Upright Mobility in Infants With Cerebral Palsy Using a Robotic Unweighting System

In the researchers' words

BabyG is a soft harness attached to a robotic system mounted overhead. While wearing the harness, the infant is free to move around a 10-by-10-foot play area with a padded floor. The harness helps support the infant s weight; it also slows any falls and catches the body before it hits the floor. BabyG can be adjusted to support 5% to 50% of the infant s weight. Participants will be in the study for 24 weeks, including 12 weeks with BabyG training and 12 weeks without. Training will be 90 minutes per week: either two 45-minute sessions or three 30-minute sessions. All participants will undergo tests during the 24 weeks such as: A test to measure an infant s ability to perform tasks such as rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking. A test to assess nerve function, movements, reflexes, posture, and muscle tone. A test of brain activity while moving. The infant will be fitted with a snug cap with 64 electrodes. Then the infant will be placed in the BabyG harness and encouraged to take steps on a motorized treadmill. Their movements will be filmed.