Implementation and Validation of Instrumented Stair Climb Test

Launched by IRCCS EUGENIO MEDEA · May 22, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on creating a new test to evaluate how well people can climb and descend stairs. The researchers want to see how different groups—like children and adults with conditions such as cerebral palsy, amputations, Parkinson's disease, stroke, or those who have had joint replacement surgery—perform on this stair climbing test. By comparing these results, they hope to gather useful information that can help doctors better assess a patient's abilities and recovery.

To participate in this study, individuals must be able to climb and descend 10 steps with some supervision. The trial is open to people aged 4 to 80 years, and there are specific groups based on age and health conditions. For example, children with cerebral palsy, older adults who have had hip or knee surgery, and individuals with Parkinson's disease can all be part of this study. Participants will undergo the stair climbing test, and the researchers will assess how reliable and effective this test is compared to standard clinical evaluations. If you're interested in participating, it's important to discuss your eligibility with your healthcare provider.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Common inclusion criteria for all groups:
• • - Ability to climb and descend 10 steps with supervision, even with handrail support.
• Common exclusion criteria for all groups:
• • Need for help from an operator or use of orthoses to make the stairs;
• • Inability to dress the instrumentation (accelerometer/electromyograph);
• • clinical condition that does not recommend the execution of scales (e.g. NYHA Class IV cardiovascular decompensation, epilepsy not controlled by drugs, serious visual disturbances...);
• • inability to follow verbal instructions.
• Inclusion criteria for the healthy group :
• • age 4-80 years (8 subjects 4-18 years; 8 subjects 19-65 years; 8 subjects 65-80 years);
• • absence of diagnosis of neurological or orthopaedic pathologies, which impair the patient's mobility.
• Inclusion criteria for the PCI group :
• • age range 4-18 years;
• • Diagnosis of Infantile Cerebral Palsy;
• • right or left hemiparesis;
• • ability motor skills in levels I - III according to the GMFCS (Gross Motor Function Classification System).
• Inclusion criteria for the Orthopaedic group:
• • Age 65-80 years;
• • postoperative postoperative hip or knee arthroplasty (in election and post-fracture, any revisions will be excluded).
• Inclusion criteria for the Amputee group:
• • age range from 19 to 80 years;
• • Leg amputation (trans-tibial), fitted with limb prosthesis.
• Inclusion criteria for the Parkinson's group:
• • age range from 65 years;
• • diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or Parkinsonism also on a vascular basis.
• Inclusion criteria for the group Ictus Cerebri:
• • Age 65-80 years;
• • Aftereffects of Ictus Cerebri;
• • left or right hemiparesis.