Stimulation for Perinatal Stroke Optimizing Recovery Trajectory (SPORT)

Michael Sametz
Para-Cyclist, 2016 Rio Paralympic Games
Brain Stimulation Trial #1 Participant (Perinatal Stroke and Cerebral Palsy)

Children with perinatal stroke often experience lifelong neurological disability. Non-invasive brain stimulation can help children learn motor skills and may help adults with motor impairments after stroke. We don’t yet know how much it can help children with perinatal stroke. Here, we will conduct a clinical trial across Canada to test whether non-invasive brain stimulation improves function in children with motor difficulties such as cerebral palsy and, if so, what mechanisms underlie these improvements.

Research theme:
BRIGHT Beginnings: Projects to optimize brain and developmental outcomes

Age range:
5–18 years

Start date:
July 2016

Principal Investigator:
Dr. Adam Kirton, University of Calgary

Program pages:
www.perinatalstroke.ca
www.hbi.ucalgary.ca/n3

Twitter:
@PedStrokeYYC

The team provided a project update at the 2022 CHILD-BRIGHT Virtual Symposium. View it here.

2020-21 Project Update

A child is painting on a rock — Read our 2020-21 update

2019-20 Project Update

Innovation 4 Health Pajevic Ingram Kirton.jpg

Our SPORT trial team is on track to answer the question: “Can non-invasive brain stimulation enhance motor function in children with weakness due to perinatal stroke?”

Across Canada, the SPORT team has welcomed and supported nearly 60 children and families in camp-based therapy programs. Via participation in these camps, we have watched children and families achieve many of their personal goals. We’ve also noted the exceptional commitment of our participants, who need to undergo brain imaging scans before and after the camps. Their commitment to this helps us map our observations, which in turn allows us to generate rich data which our team of experts is already analyzing.

On May 26, 2021, the CHILD-BRIGHT Network Stimulation for Perinatal Stroke Optimizing Recovery Trajectory (SPORT) team provided a project update at the 2021 CHILD-BRIGHT Virtual Symposium. View it here.

We’ve also been impressed watching youth participants from our study in action; they inspire younger children to overcome their challenges and work towards their goals. National youth leaders, like Maya Pajevic (pictured), have also championed knowledge exchanges by sharing about their lived experience at large and diverse public events. We are very proud of our youth members and participants!