# NRSA Training Core

> **NIH NIH TL1** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2024 · $59,644

## Abstract

Children with Down Syndrome have joint laxity, low muscle tone, and cognition impairments that lead to
delayed walking and exploration compared to their typically developing peers. Supporting mobility at a
developmentally appropriate age can benefit not only physical development, but also social, emotional, and
cognitive development. There are a wide range of mobility aids that children with other disabilities use, like gait
trainers and powered mobility – but evidence is lacking to support their use in prewalking children with Down
Syndrome. The proposed project will test the ability of two mobility aids, partial bodyweight support and
powered mobility, to promote increased mobility and play in young children with Down Syndrome.
This TL1 application will fund the training of Ms. Hoffman, a PhD Student in the Department of Mechanical
Engineering, whose research is at the intersection of accessibility, biomechanics, and rehabilitation medicine.
In parallel, we aim to 1) measure exploratory behaviors during play with both devices, 2) measure a child's
postural alignment and muscle activity with both devices, and 3) conduct a stakeholder analysis using
qualitative interviews and children's responses. Twelve participants with Down Syndrome, from 12 to 36
months of age, will join four play sessions: a) control – no devices, b) partial bodyweight support, c) powered
mobility in a sitting posture, d) powered mobility in a standing posture. We will quantify the impact of device
use on environmental exploration of the play space via overhead cameras. Additionally, we will use
electromyography (EMG) to measure muscle activation and wearables sensors (IMUs) to measure posture
with and without mobility devices. Finally, we will conduct qualitative interviews to understand caregivers' and
clinicians' perspectives on using mobility devices to augment play and exploration.
Ms. Hoffman aspires to lead an independent research group specializing in the evaluation of mobility and play
technologies for young children with disabilities. Her project is poised to expand her engineering training with
co-sponsor Dr. Kat Steele to create a diverse range of sensing metrics that cater to participants' unique needs,
ensuring comfort and durability. Ms. Hoffman will also collaborate with clinicians, forming a strong foundation
for her future translational research. Didactic coursework and guidance from co-sponsor Dr. Heather Feldner
will allow Ms. Hoffman to build her qualitative research skills to incorporate the perspectives of all stakeholders
into her research and enrich her technical background. This award will not only support completion of her PhD
but will foster her growth as an independent researcher through her multidisciplinary mentorship team and
focused career development plan. In sum, Ms. Hoffman's participation in the TL1 program through the
INCLUDE initiative is poised to equip her with essential skills to drive the future translation and advancement of
pediat...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10878214
- **Project number:** 3TL1TR002318-08S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** HILAIRE J THOMPSON
- **Activity code:** TL1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $59,644
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-06-01 → 2027-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10878214

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10878214, NRSA Training Core (3TL1TR002318-08S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10878214. Licensed CC0.

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