Name of the project
- Impact of gait analysis on surgical outcomes
Project abstract/brief description
- Gait analysis testing has been used to assist orthopaedic surgeons in developing treatment plans for children with gait abnormalities, particularly children with cerebral palsy. Previous studies have shown that gait analysis testing significantly impacts surgical decision-making for these patients. However, no controlled studies have been done to determine whether gait analysis and the subsequent changes in surgical decision-making affect clinical outcomes. Consequently, the use of gait analysis in clinical practice remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial to assess the effects of preoperative gait analysis on surgical outcomes in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy. The specific aims are to determine whether the use of gait analysis data results in (1) greater improvements in walking ability and efficiency, (2) greater improvements in gross motor function, (3) greater improvements in overall patient well being and quality of life, and (4) less need for additional treatment compared with treatment provided when gait analysis data are not available.
This study will be a randomized controlled trial. Patients will be randomized as to whether or not their preoperative gait analysis data are included in the treatment decision-making process. Comprehensive pre- and 1-year postoperative gait analysis studies will be performed for all patients, along with gross motor function testing and questionnaires that assess a child’s general health and well being. Postoperatively, the need for additional treatments will be assessed by an independent pediatric orthopaedic surgeon. 1-year outcomes will be compared between the patients whose gait data were available during the treatment decision-making process and the patients whose gait data were not available. The results will determine whether the use of gait analysis testing improves clinical outcomes in children who have walking problems due to cerebral palsy.
Name of Principal Investigator
Department/division/center/school in which the project is based
- Childrens Orthopaedic Center
Primary institution in which this project is based
- Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)
Name and email address for the Project Director / Manager, or person responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of this project
If we were to request additional information about this project, pelase provide the name of the person to contact and his/her email address
- Project Director / Manager listed above
Are there any Co-Investigators on this project?
Please name all Co-Investigators and their institutional affiliation
- Co-Investigator - Institutional affiliation
- Robert Kay, MD - CHLA
- Co-Investigator - Institutional affiliation
- Norman Otsuka, MD - Shriners Hosp. LA
- Co-Investigator - Institutional affiliation
- Richard Bowen, MD - Shriners Hosp. LA
- Co-Investigator - Institutional affiliation
- Anthony Scaduto, MD - Shriners Hosp. LA
- Co-Investigator - Institutional affiliation
- Linda Chan, PhD - USC
Which, if any, of the following institutions are you partnering with for this project?
- Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)
- Other (please specify)
For each partner institution listed, please indicate the specific department / division / institute / center with which you are partnering
- Shriners Hospital LA - Orthopaedic Surgery
Are you collaborating with any other academic, clinical or community organizations on this project?
List any academic, clinical and / or community organizations with which you are collaborating. Please include each partner organization's location
Which institutional IRBs have reviewed and approved this project?
- Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)
- Other (please specify)
Which of the following best characterizes the agency(ies) funding this project? (IF THIS IS A SUBCONTRACT, PLEASE IDENTIFY THE CORE FUNDING SOURCE, e.g., NIH, CDC, etc.)
What month and year does / did funding begin?
What month and year does/did funding end?
Which of the following best describes the project's thematic focus?
- Health and psychosocial outcomes
- Chronic illness/disability - treatment, co-morbidities and care, prevention and education, transition from pediatric to adult care
- Clinical trial
In what context do your project activities (e.g. data collection) take place?
- Clinic or other ambulatory healthcare setting
How would you classify this project?
Please indicate which of the following best characterizes the type of research you are conducting?
- Clinical/patient-oriented research
- Intervention/service evaluation research
Which of the following best characterizes your study design?
- Clinical trial (experimental)
What type of data collection methods are used?
- Surveys
- Collection of specific clinical data
Which services does your program provide?
- NOT a service project - Research only
How many participants will be/were recruited to participate in your research or service program over the funding/study period?
Which of the following best describe the population this project targets?
Which of the following best describes the age groups this project targets?
- Infants/children (0-11 years)
- Adolescents (12-18 years)
Which of the following best describes the racial/ethnic characteristics of the project participants?
Please provide any additional characteristics of your project participants that are specific to the goals of the project, e.g., low-income, un-insured, incarcerated, pregnant/parenting teens, populations with disabilities, specific conditions, etc.
- Patients with cerebral palsy
Which of the following best describes the location(s) in which this project takes/took place?
In which LA County Service Planning Area (SPA) do/did your project activities take place?
In which locations outside LA County do your project activities take place?
Does this project have an advisory board?
How often does your advisory board meet?
Please indicate which of the following best describes the membership of this project's advisory board?
Which of the following best describe the type of guidance your advisory group provides for your project?
In what ways, if any, has your project disseminated information about your project, including findings and lessons learned?
- Peer-reviewed publications
- National/international conferences
Which dissemination activities do you/did you find to be most effective?
- Conferences & peer-review journals
How useful do you think a CTSI Research/Service Clearinghouse will be to the following audiences?
How likely are you to use the CTSI web-based clearinghouse?
How would you envision using a resource like the CTSI web-based clearinghouse?
What specific information would you want in the CTSI web-based clearinghouse to maximize its utlility to you, other researchers, and representatives of the community?
- Information on population group/diagnosis. Listing of community groups interested in collaborating (parent groups, etc.).
What would you like to see in terms of the CTSI web-based clearinghouse design and functionality that would maximize the clearinghouse's utility for you and others?
- Be able to search by population group/diagnosis.
