Project Grant R01HD118065

Grant Summary

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) awarded a Project Grant of $638,608 to The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.865) on July 1, 2026. The award funds a five-year research initiative (through June 30, 2031) evaluating the efficacy and real-world effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation (FES) for improving gait mobility and participation in daily activities among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The project will conduct a randomized controlled trial with 70 participants comparing FES treatment to sham stimulation, with subsequent assessment of sustained effects and carryover benefits. The research will measure improvements in gait quality, ankle kinematics, muscle function, physical activity levels, and device adoption factors across a four-month intervention period, two-month sustained effect period, and one-month follow-up.

The deliverables under this grant include comprehensive functional and clinical outcome assessments utilizing instrumented gait analysis, dynamometry, manual muscle testing, and motor unit activation measurements. Study findings will provide evidence-based data on FES utility for MS-related foot drop and mobility impairments, addressing a significant clinical gap in understanding long-term effectiveness and real-world impact of this technology. The research is positioned to advance clinical practice recommendations and device utilization in the MS population, ultimately contributing to improved quality of life and reduced fall risk in individuals with MS-induced gait impairments.