The effect of novel Head and Trunk Control Rehabilitation (HATCoRe) device in children with cerebral palsy: Single-Subject multiple baseline protocol
A new head-trunk robot for severe CP is on trial—no scores yet, but the 16-week plan is ready to copy.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team built a new device called HATCoRe. It helps kids with cerebral palsy hold their head and trunk steady.
They will test it three times a week for 30-45 minutes. The whole study lasts about 29-33 weeks.
Kids in GMFCS levels IV-V will join. These are children who need a lot of body support.
What they found
This paper only shows the plan. No results yet. The real data will come later.
How this fits with other research
Morgan et al. (2016) used parent play to boost motor skills in babies at risk for CP. Shakya et al. swap parents for a machine. Both aim for better movement, just with different tools.
Kaplan-Kahn et al. (2026) asked parents to do 60 hours of hand therapy at home and saw big gains. Shakya et al. keep parents on the sideline while the device leads. The new study will tell us if tech can match the parent-power model.
Jepson et al. (2011) used the same single-subject design for hyperbaric oxygen in autism and saw no change. Shakya et al. use the design for head-trunk training in CP. The layout is alike, but the target and hope are new.
Why it matters
If the HATCoRe device works, you will have a fresh option for severe CP clients who struggle to sit or look around. Watch for the outcome paper. If gains show up, you could request a trial in your clinic or suggest it to families who fatigue quickly during manual therapy.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Head and trunk control is essential for enhancing engagement and participation by improving visual integration, respiration, oromotor skill, arm control, and self-care. Our study protocol aims to investigate the effect of novel Head And Trunk Control Rehabilitation (HATCoRe) device on promoting head and trunk control in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). This single subject multiple baseline design trial will include six children with CP aged two to 10 years, exhibiting delayed head and trunk control, having Gross Motor Function Classification System level IV and V will be enrolled. Participants will be randomly assigned to 4-, 6-, or 8-weeks baseline phases followed by 16-week intervention phase with HATCoRe device, for 30–45 min thrice weekly; and follow-up phase of 9 weeks. The study will span for 29 to 33 weeks. An experienced pediatric physiotherapist, blinded to the baseline duration, will assess the outcome measures through 15 to 19 observations. Structured visual analysis will be used supplemented with the celeration line approach to detect statistically significant change. HATCoRe device can enable health-care professionals to objectively measure head movement trajectories in children with CP. If proven effective, clinicians may utilize this device to create interactive and child engaging sessions.
MethodsX, 2024 · doi:10.1016/j.mex.2024.102649