The CRADLE Lab focuses on developing assessment tools to understand and identify atypical development in children in order to develop targeted interventions. We employ a blend of high-tech methods—including 3D motion capture, modified toys, and wearable sensors—alongside low-tech approaches like parent reports and standardized assessments. Our data collection spans diverse settings to capture a holistic view of child development.
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CURRENT PROJECTS:
AI-Based Postural Control Assessment in Infants:
Postural control in infants is a key biomarker for atypical development, but gold-standard tools for posture assessment are costly and complex. This study develops an AI-based approach using computer vision and biomechanical modeling to assess postural control during prone play. We will validate this approach against 3D motion capture.
Collaborator: Dr. Valeriya Gritseko
Funding: Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy Research Grant
Status: Enrollment Completed!
Infants born preterm (<37 weeks gestation) and aged 3-6 months are invited to participate
Motor learning in infants with and without prenatal substance exposure:
Infants exposed to prenatal substances are at an increased risk for cognitive delays and academic challenges. The mobile paradigm is a low-tech tool that can assess learning in infants as early as 3 months of age. This study aims to examine the learning capabilities and short-term memory of infants with prenatal substance exposure in comparison to non-exposed infants using the mobile paradigm.
Funding: West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute Open Pilot Project Grant 2024
Status: Currently enrolling!
Infants born at or after 34 weeks of gestation, aged 3-4 months, with or without a history of prenatal substance exposure.
Feasibility of tracking neck muscle activity for head control in infants
Posture and movement deficits impact development in preterm infants. Early assessment of posture and movement is crucial for identifying atypical patterns and guiding interventions. This study aims to develop and evaluate the feasibility of neuromusculoskeletal dynamic models (NMD) for detecting neck muscle forces in 2-6 month old full-term and preterm infants. We will use 3D motion capture and surface electromyography (sEMG) to quantify neck muscle moments and validate our NMD models.
Funding: West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute JumpStart Grant 2024 (Co-I)
Status: Enrollment Completed!
Infants born full-term (at or > 37 weeks) or preterm (<37 weeks) aged 3-7 months
Smart tummy time monitoring for infant motor development
Tummy time is a vital component of early motor development. It promotes head control, strengthens postural muscles, and reduces the risk of positional plagiocephaly (head flattening). Current guidelines recommend that infants should engage in 30–60 minutes of supervised tummy time each day. However, many parents struggle to track and maintain consistent tummy time routines, leading to variability in adherence and developmental outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of a wearable “smart” infant shirt designed to automatically detect and quantify tummy time at home.
Funding: University of Massachusetts Lowell (Co-I)
PI: Dr. Ainat Koren
Status: Currently enrolling!
Infants born full-term (at or > 37 weeks) aged 4-6 weeks
Telehealth-Based General Movement Assessment in Infants With and Without Prenatal Substance Exposure
Prenatal substance exposure has been linked to alterations in early brain development and may increase the risk for neurodevelopmental and motor disorders in infancy. The General Movement Assessment (GMA) is a validated, gold-standard observational tool capable of detecting early motor abnormalities predictive of cerebral palsy and other developmental conditions as early as 3 months of age. However, the tool has not been systematically tested in infants with prenatal substance exposure. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic performance of the GMA when delivered via telehealth in two groups of infants aged 2–4 months: (1) those with prenatal substance exposure and (2) those without exposure.
Funding: IMPACT WV Mini Grant
Co-I: Dr. Mary Beth Mandich and Dr. Breanna Adkins
Status: Currently enrolling!
Infants with and without prenatal substance exposure aged 2-4 months
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