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Cerebral PalsyUEM-HABITILENCT07506837

Effects of an HABIT-ILE-Based Intervention in Children With Cerebral Palsy

A study testing HABIT-ILE in people with Cerebral Palsy, run by Universidad Europea de Madrid.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This interventional study will evaluate the effects of an intensive HABIT-ILE-based camp on cardiorespiratory measures and body composition in children with cerebral palsy. Although intensive motor control-based therapies such as HABIT/HABIT-ILE have shown functional benefits, the novelty of this study is the… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 6 to 13 years
Conditions the study is for
Cerebral Palsy
What is being tested?
HABIT-ILE
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
30 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
1 Mar 2027to 1 Jan 2028
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 6 to 13 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Children with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (hemiparesis or diparesis).
  • Age 6 to 13 years.
  • Moderate cognitive impairment or cognitive status compatible with the ability to follow verbal instructions.
  • Ability to participate in an intensive summer camp-format rehabilitation program.
  • Parent/legal guardian able to provide informed consent and complete parent-/tutor-reported outcome measures.

Who cannot join

  • Medical or orthopedic condition that contraindicates participation in intensive physical rehabilitation activities.
  • Unstable neurological or medical condition (e.g., uncontrolled seizures) that may interfere with safe participation.
  • Severe cognitive or behavioral impairment preventing comprehension of basic verbal instructions or safe participation in group activities.
  • Contraindication to study assessment procedures, including physiological testing or DEXA body composition assessment.
  • Participation in another concurrent intensive rehabilitation program during the study comparison period.
  • Any condition that, in the investigators' judgment, may compromise safety, adherence, or outcome assessment validity.

Trial locations and contacts

No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

About this study

Official title: Effects of Intensive Motor Control-Based Therapy for Upper and Lower Extremities in Children With Cerebral Palsy

This interventional study will evaluate the effects of an intensive HABIT-ILE-based camp on cardiorespiratory measures and body composition in children with cerebral palsy. Although intensive motor control-based therapies such as HABIT/HABIT-ILE have shown functional benefits, the novelty of this study is the assessment of energy expenditure during functional tasks and post-intervention changes in body composition. Participants will attend a summer camp-format intervention delivering 90 hours of upper and lower extremity training over 15 days (6 hours/day), supervised by trained rehabilitation staff in a playful, progressive group setting. The program includes bimanual activities, gait and stair tasks, functional strengthening, and whole-body games, with fatigue prevention strategies.Assessments will be performed at baseline and immediately after the camp in July 2027, with follow-up at 6 months (January 2028). Outcomes include functional performance, parent-reported function, low-intensity task-related energy expenditure measured in a physiology laboratory, and body composition measured by DEXA at Universidad Europea de Madrid

Read the detailed description

Children with cerebral palsy frequently present limitations in upper and lower extremity function that affect mobility, daily activities, and participation. Intensive motor control-based approaches, particularly Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy (HABIT) and Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremity (HABIT-ILE), have shown functional benefits in this population. In prior HABIT/HABIT-ILE programs, improvements in upper limb function have been reported, and benefits may persist over time after the intervention. In addition to motor impairment, children with cerebral palsy may be especially vulnerable to sedentary behavior and related health consequences. The present study is based on the rationale that intensive whole-body functional training may improve not only motor performance but also physiological efficiency during functional tasks. The main novelty of this study is not the intervention format itself, but the evaluation of task-related energy expenditure and post-intervention body composition changes after an intensive HABIT-ILE-based summer camp.This study will implement a summer camp-format intensive intervention in children with cerebral palsy, modeled on previously implemented intensive camp experiences. Participants will receive 90 hours of therapy over 15 days (6 hours/day), delivered by trained interventionists (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, supervised students, and volunteers under professional supervision). The intervention will include bimanual upper limb activities; lower extremity and mobility training (e.g., walking on different surfaces, treadmill walking, stair negotiation); functional strengthening through activity-based tasks; and whole-body playful activities (e.g., dance and sports games), with progressive difficulty tailored to each child's performance. Activities will be delivered in small groups (approximately 4-6 children) to promote motivation and peer interaction, and the program will be organized to prevent excessive fatigue.Outcome assessments will include functional measures for upper and lower extremity performance and parent-/tutor-reported functional perception. The protocol also includes low-intensity task-related energy expenditure assessment using physiological monitoring (gas analysis and electrocardiographic monitoring during functional tasks such as comfortable walking) in the physiology laboratory, and body composition assessment using DEXA at Universidad Europea de Madrid. Assessments will be performed at baseline and immediately after the camp in July 2027, with follow-up assessments at 6 months (January 2028). To improve measurement consistency, pre/post testing will be performed by the same evaluator, and test sessions may be recorded for review; the evaluator is intended to be blinded to the intervention.

Conditions
Cerebral Palsy
Being tested
HABIT-ILE
Keywords
Cerebral Palsy, HABIT-ILE, Body Composition, Energy Expenditure
Medical subject headings
Cerebral Palsy

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • HABIT-ILEBehavioural

    Participants will receive a 90-hour intensive intervention (6 hours/day for 15 days) in a summer camp format. The intervention includes bimanual upper-limb activities; lower-extremity and mobility training (e.g., walking on different surfaces, treadmill walking, stair negotiation); activity-based strengthening; and whole-body playful activities (e.g., dance and sports games). New technologies (e.g., videogame-based activities and robot-assisted activities) may be incorporated within a participatory and progressively challenging framework. The intervention will be delivered in small groups (approximately 4 to 6 children) by trained physiotherapists, occupational therapists, supervised students, and volunteers. The intervention schedule will be planned to avoid excessive fatigue.

Study groups in NCT07506837
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Cerebral palsy HABIT-ILE Intensive therapy Pediatric rehabilitation Bimanual training Functional mobExperimentalChildren with cerebral palsy will participate in a summer camp-format intensive rehabilitation program based on HABIT-ILE principles. The intervention includes upper and lower extremity motor training delivered in a playful, progressive group setting by trained interventionists under professional supervision. The program is administered over 15 days, 6 hours/day (90 total hours), with activities adapted to participant performance and fatigue prevention strategies.
Receives: Behavioral: HABIT-ILE
Wait-List ControlNo interventionChildren with cerebral palsy assigned to the wait-list control group will not receive the intensive HABIT-ILE-based summer camp intervention during the initial study comparison period. They will continue with their usual care and will be offered participation in the camp intervention next year, according to program availability and study logistics.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in task-related energy expenditure during low-intensity functional activity

    Change in energy expenditure during low-intensity functional tasks (e.g., comfortable walking), assessed in the physiology laboratory using gas analysis and electrocardiographic monitoring during task performance.

    Measured: Baseline, 15 days after, 6 months after

Secondary outcomes (12)
  1. Change in body composition

    Change in body composition assessed using DEXA at Universidad Europea de Madrid.

    Measured: Baseline, 15 days after and 6 months after

  2. Change in manual function (Assisting Hand Assessment, AHA)

    Change in effectiveness of use of the affected hand during bimanual performance, assessed with the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA).

    Measured: Baseline, 15 days after and 6 months after

  3. Change in unilateral hand function performance (Jebsen-Taylor Test of Hand Function)

    Change in unilateral hand function performance, assessed by time to complete standardized manual tasks using the Jebsen-Taylor Test of Hand Function

    Measured: Baseline, 15 days after, 6 months after

  4. Change in walking capacity (6-Minute Walk Test)

    Change in unilateral hand function performance, assessed by time to complete standardized manual tasks using the Jebsen-Taylor Test of Hand Function

    Measured: Baseline, 15 days after and 6 months after

  5. Change in gait speed (10-Meter Walk Test)

    Change in gait speed, assessed by time required to walk 10 meters during the 10-Meter

    Measured: Baseline, 15 days after and 6 months after

  6. Change in functional mobility (Timed Up and Go)

    Change in functional mobility, assessed by the Timed Up and Go test (time required to stand up, walk, turn, return, and sit down)

    Measured: Baseline, 15 days after, 6 months after

  7. Change in gross motor function (GMFM)

    Change in gross motor function (GMFM)

    Measured: Baselilne, 15 days after, 6 months after

  8. Change in functional balance (Pediatric Balance Scale)

    Change in functional balance (Pediatric Balance Scale)

    Measured: Baseline, 15 days after and 1 month after

  9. Change in parent-/tutor-reported functional performance (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, COPM)

    Change in parent-/tutor-reported functional performance (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, COPM)

    Measured: Baseline, 15 days after, 6 months after

  10. Change in disability and function (Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, PEDI)

    Change in disability and function (Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, PEDI)

    Measured: Baseline, 15 days after, 6 months after

  11. Change in parent-reported manual ability ABILHAND-Kids)

    Change in parent-reported manual ability (ABILHAND-Kids )

    Measured: Baseline, 15 days after and 6 months after

  12. Change in parent-reported locomotion difficulty (ABILOCO-Kids)

    Change in parent-reported locomotion difficulty (ABILOCO-Kids)

    Measured: Baseline, 15 days after and 6 months after

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted2 Apr 2026
  2. Study start1 Mar 2027 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion30 Jul 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Jan 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
30 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07506837
Sponsor's protocol ID
UEM-HABITILE-CAMP
Acronym
UEM-HABITILE
Status last verified
Mar 2026
First submitted
24 Feb 2026
Last updated
2 Apr 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Bleyenheuft Y, Dricot L, Gilis N, Kuo HC, Grandin C, Bleyenheuft C, Gordon AM, Friel KM. Capturing neuroplastic changes after bimanual intensive rehabilitation in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy: A combined DTI, TMS and fMRI pilot study. Res Dev Disabil. 2015 Aug-Sep;43-44:136-49. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2015.06.014. Epub 2015 Jul 13.

    PubMed 26183338
  • Bleyenheuft Y, Arnould C, Brandao MB, Bleyenheuft C, Gordon AM. Hand and Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremity (HABIT-ILE) in Children With Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2015 Aug;29(7):645-57. doi: 10.1177/1545968314562109. Epub 2014 Dec 19.

    PubMed 25527487
  • Gordon AM, Hung YC, Brandao M, Ferre CL, Kuo HC, Friel K, Petra E, Chinnan A, Charles JR. Bimanual training and constraint-induced movement therapy in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a randomized trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2011 Oct;25(8):692-702. doi: 10.1177/1545968311402508. Epub 2011 Jun 23.

    PubMed 21700924
  • Gordon AM, Schneider JA, Chinnan A, Charles JR. Efficacy of a hand-arm bimanual intensive therapy (HABIT) in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a randomized control trial. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2007 Nov;49(11):830-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2007.00830.x.

    PubMed 17979861
  • Charles J, Gordon AM. Development of hand-arm bimanual intensive training (HABIT) for improving bimanual coordination in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2006 Nov;48(11):931-6. doi: 10.1017/S0012162206002039.

    PubMed 17044964

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing HABIT-ILE in people with Cerebral Palsy, run by Universidad Europea de Madrid.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Vanesa Abuín ((+34) 912 115 224, vanesa.abuin@universidadeuropea.es), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in task-related energy expenditure during low-intensity functional activity (time frame: Baseline, 15 days after, 6 months after). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07506837, which also lists 5 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Apr 2026.

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