Can a simple harness help babies with down syndrome take their first steps sooner?
NCT ID NCT06219863
First seen Jul 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tests whether a body-weight-supported harness used at home can help infants with Down syndrome move around earlier. Delayed crawling and walking are common in Down syndrome, and early mobility may boost learning, communication, and social interaction. Six families will use the harness for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, for one month, and researchers will measure feasibility and key developmental outcomes to prepare for a larger clinical trial.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- body weight supported harness
- What this could lead to
- If the harness is feasible and acceptable, it could pave the way for a larger trial testing whether early supported mobility improves learning, communication, and development in infants with Down syndrome.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small pilot study with only 6 infants, so results may not apply broadly. The harness may be difficult for families to use consistently, and the study does not yet test whether it actually improves outcomes.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Boston University
RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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