Innovation and Impact

Thanks to the generosity of donors, the James R. Gage Center for Gillette Gait and Motion Analysis continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible for children and adults living with complex movement conditions. Since opening its doors in 1987, the gait lab remains a national leader in combining clinical care, research, and innovation to improve mobility and independence. This important work is made possible through philanthropy. Proceeds from our annual Gillette Golf Tournament and other donor gifts directly impact the advances in care at our gait lab.

One exciting area of growth this past year has been expanding how we use motion-based video tools. While full gait analyses remain a gold standard, not every clinical question requires a multi-hour evaluation. In response, our team has enhanced streamlined video assessments that help clinicians monitor recovery after surgery, evaluate orthotics, assess functional mobility, and document long-term changes over time. These visual records become part of the medical record and provide objective, side-by-side comparisons over months or even decades.

The gait lab also recently introduced innovative tools that make appointments more engaging and accessible. A staff-developed avatar program allows patients to see their motion translated into animated figures. You can check out this technology in action here: Animated Kids at Gillette Children's Gait and Motion Lab

Research remains an important component of the gait lab’s innovation and advances, and is made possible with the support of philanthropy. This year, researchers in the gait lab released 15 publications, delivered 20 national and international presentations, and continued to make progress on ongoing research studies.

One study examines how robotic ankle exoskeletons can assist children with cerebral palsy while walking. By providing targeted support to specific muscle groups, researchers are evaluating whether high-intensity training with assistive devices can improve gait and motor control. Another study investigates how different types of feedback (visual, auditory, and sensory) impact gait retraining. Projects like these aim to refine and enhance therapy approaches so that children can gain stronger, more lasting improvements in movement.

With more than 10,000 unique patients and over 22,000 gait evaluations captured in our long-standing database, our gait lab is uniquely positioned to develop artificial intelligence models grounded in real clinical evidence. These AI-powered tools are designed to help physicians personalize treatment recommendations by analyzing patterns across thousands of prior cases. Rather than relying solely on generalized guidelines, clinicians will be able to access predictions tailored to the individual child in front of them.

Early simulations suggest that these tools can improve outcomes while potentially reducing the need for more extensive surgical intervention. While still in pilot phases, this work represents an exciting step toward more personalized treatment for children with movement disorders.

For nearly 40 years, the gait and motion lab has combined technology, research, and compassionate care to improve mobility and independence. The generosity of donors like you makes this work possible and continues to fuel innovation for the children and families we serve. Thank you for being part of this progress.

To find out more about how you can support the work at Gillette Children’s, visit our Philanthropy page.