Cerebral Palsy

Research

Investigators from many arenas of medicine and health are researching treatment and prevention of cerebral palsy. Much of their work is supported through the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, other agencies within the federal government, not-for-profit groups such as the United Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation, and private institutions.

Mayo Clinic in Minnesota offers patients the services of the Motion Analysis Laboratory which incorporates the latest computerized technology to analyze motion, forces and muscle activity and determine what treatment will provide the greatest benefit for patients with movement disorders such as cerebral palsy. Two studies researching cerebral palsy treatments are:

• Gait Study — A computerized analysis of the motion and forces exerted on various joints when people walk. It is commonly used for patients with cerebral palsy, polio, stroke, multiple sclerosis or balance problems. Results are used to select nonsurgical or surgical treatment methods, and to evaluate treatment effectiveness in producing a more normal gait.
  
  
• Electromyography — This equipment analyzes muscle activity while a person walks to determine if a muscle is working at the right time and at the right level. Results are used to prescribe care for patients with cerebral palsy, myelomeningocele or stroke.

Mayo Publications

See a list of publications by Mayo Clinic doctors on cerebral palsy on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.