Engineering to enhance human mobility, play, and exploration
We are excited to announce that PhD Candidate Mackenzie Pitts is a recipient of the 2026-2027 Gatzert Child Welfare Fellowship. This UW fellowship is awarded to doctoral candidates as they write their dissertation on research that supports children with disabilities. With this award that covers one quarter of funding, Mackenzie will be dedicated to improving the quality of her work in preparation for her defense.
Journal Article in Developmental Neurorehabilitation
Children with Down syndrome commonly experience delays in motor milestones, such as pulling to stand and walking, due to musculoskeletal factors associated with DS like hypotonia and ligament laxity
Aim: Understanding how to support age-appropriate motor exploration while increasing movement, physical activity and upright time is essential for optimizing developmental and health outcomes in young children with Down syndrome. Open-area partial bodyweight support (PBWS) systems can help support motor development, but no study has objectively reported motor behavior changes, such as increased leg activity or time spent upright.
Methods: This randomized, multisite crossover trial included children with Down syndrome who could sit independently but were not yet walking. Each child completed nine 30-minute play-based sessions with and without PBWS. Physical activity and posture were measured using shank-worn accelerometers, capturing the percentage of time spent in high physical activity and upright. Nonparametric Mann-Whitney U tests compared outcome measures between PBWS and non-PBWS conditions.
Results: Fifteen children (mean age: 19.4 months, range: 12–31 months) completed study procedures. Across all participants, high physical activity did not noticeably increase from the first to last session. The median change was −5.0% (IQR: −13.4- +9.05%) with PBWS and −2.53% (IQR: −13.7- +12.9%) without PBWS. Time spent on feet showed a median increase of +2.38% with PBWS (IQR: −0.96 – +12.24) and a decrease of −1.08% without PBWS (IQR: −7.70 - + 1.02%). A statistically significant difference between conditions (p = .042) indicated greater improvements in time on feet during PBWS sessions versus without.
Interpretation: PBWS did not increase time spent in high physical activity, but did support increased upright posture over time. These findings suggest PBWS systems may provide a supportive environment for practicing upright postures in early motor development for children with Down syndrome.
Journal Article in Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology
Self-initiated mobility experiences are critical for young children with disabilities and may be augmented through powered mobility.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to understand caregiver perceptions of powered mobility intervention following a 12-session trial of a novel powered mobility device.
Methods: Ten caregivers (4 M/6F) of children with cerebral palsy (Gross Motor Function Classification System IV-V) and other developmental disabilities (21.8 ± 5.9 months). Children participated in 12 in-lab driving sessions (exploratory or goal directed) using the Explorer Mini (Permobil AB, Sweden). Exit interviews were conducted with caregivers at the final visit, transcribed verbatim, coded inductively, and analysed until themes emerged.
Results: Four themes emerged from the data: (1) Changing views of capability and adaptability; (2) Emerging autonomy; new skills in and out of the device; (3) Clear need and benefit with some drawbacks; and (4) Lingering stigma and uncertainty
Interpretation: PM trial positively shifted caregiver’s perceptions of both PM in general and their child’s capabilities, with a desire for greater access to PM at home to support development. These beliefs remained juxtaposed with lingering stigma for some caregivers about PM devices, and a stated desire for more modifiable PM options for children with different positioning or access needs.
Members of the lab road tripped to Vancouver, Canada for the World Congress of Biomechanics.
Dr. Kat Steele chaired multiple sessions and gave a presentation, “Evaluation and Optimization of Gait Dynamics Using Exoskeletons.” She and Dr. Mia Hoffman also co-hosted a special session, “Rigor, Repeatability, & FUN in Pediatric Biomechanics.”
PhD student Ally Clarke gave an oral presentation “Mediolateral Forces and Walking Stability in Children with Cerebral Palsy.” PhD student Mackenzie Pitts orally presented “Comparing Split Belt Treadmill Adaptation Rates Between Children with Cerebral Palsy and Typically Developing Peers Using Bayesian Models.” Research Scientist Engineer Katie Landwehr-Prakel had her first oral presentation, discussing “Impacts of Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation on Muscle Activity and Heart Rate Responses During Walker-Based Exoskeleton Use in Children With Cerebral Palsy.” Dr. Mia Hoffman gave two presentations: “Sit, Stand, Activate! Quantifying Muscle Activity During Mobility Aid Use in Young Children With Developmental Disabilities” and “Quantifying Play Interactions: Implementation of a Digital Switch-Accessible Play Kit for Young Children Receiving Early Intervention Services.” PhD student Maddie McCreary gave a poster presentation, “Effects of Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Amplitude on Gait in Children with Cerebral Palsy.” Dr. Kat Steele was honored as a 2026 ASB fellow.
Successful road trip!
We’re excited to share that Madeleine McCreary was selected as a recipient of the ASB student travel award for her abstract titled “Effects of Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Amplitude on Gait in Children with Cerebral Palsy.” Her work was recognized by the ASB community for its contribution to pediatric neuromodulation research. Congratulations, Madeleine!
