OU Research Tests Device That Helps Disabled Infants Crawl

Study evaluates impact of device on infants’ motor, cognitive and social development

Crawling is an essential milestone in a baby’s development. But many infants with cerebral palsy are unable to crawl or creep and that can have lifelong consequences.

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, in collaboration with colleagues at Virginia Commonwealth University, want to know if infants with cerebral palsy can learn to use a skateboard-like robotic device that enables locomotion. In addition, they are evaluating whether moving independently with assistance of the device will lead to improvements in problem-solving, spatial relationships, social interaction and hand-eye coordination for infants in the study. Read full media release