The Pedal with Pete Foundation continues to be recognized as one of the premier seed grant funding organizations for researchers with an interest in cerebral palsy. One to three grants of $30,000 are awarded each year to researchers whose work is aimed at preventing, treating, or potentially curing cerebral palsy.
In 2025, the Pedal with Pete Foundation will focus on strengthening our resources to ensure we can continue funding impactful research in the years ahead. While we are pausing new grants this year, our commitment to improving the lives of those with cerebral palsy remains strong. Your participation in our events and support this year will help us build momentum for future funding opportunities.
Children and adults with spastic cerebral palsy frequently have reduced ability to move joints individually. Motor control function originates in the brain. The pathways are present at birth but conti…
Spastic muscles of individuals with CP are usually smaller, stiffer and weaker. Recent research has shown that muscle preservation therapies and enhancement are important. Compare muscle quality …
Most common post-operative complications for CP patients are respiratory, surgical site and urinary tract infections. Core Questions Can a useful, reliable, and valid clinical risk prediction m…
Identification of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit patients at highest risk for cerebral palsy early in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit stay can allow for earlier, targeted rehabilitation services starti…
Patients, caregivers and parents are not always satisfied with the outcome of a recommended therapy or surgery because the expectations of doctors, patients, caregivers and parents differ. Initial …
Muscle stiffness and contractures are a main concern in cerebral palsy, as they limit mobility. The cause of muscle stiffness is not known. Initial Hypothesis Muscle stiffness and contractures …
In addition to funding two traditional seed research grants in 2020, the Foundation funded (provided) a one-time $15,000 local community grant. The local grant aided Ohio families taking care of cereb…
Individuals with CP often struggle to develop motor skills, especially in their arms. Helping those individuals develop these skills will encourage them to enjoy life with their friends and families. …
Children with CP can find it difficult to connect with physical therapy, especially if they have coexisting disorders like autism spectrum disorder. Hippotherapy, or physical therapy on horsebacks, ca…
Preterm babies are at greater risk for cerebral palsy. Administration of magnesium sulfate has a preventative effect on preterm labor. Magnesium affects production of microRNAs which are critical for …
CP is associated with high muscle tension and stiffness, which can cause decreased range of motion of an individual’s muscles. Preventing or reversing muscle tension is essential for people with cereb…
Muscle stiffness in cerebral palsy has been associated with an increase in collagen in the space between muscle cells. If collagenase injections reduce stiffness, the need for surgical intervention…
Children and adults with CP might use a wheelchair, gait-trainer, or other weight-bearing device to aid in mobility. Such an aid is generally referred to as a “supported mobility device” (SMD). Famili…
This study evaluates the role of muscle stem cell dysfunction in the development of contractures in people with CP and its association with age and functionality. Muscle contractures are permanent sho…
The goal of this longitudinal study is to investigate the changes in gait, mobility, and participation in adults with CP over a 20-year timespan. While significant work has been performed measuring ga…
This study seeks to rigorously study the impacts of physical activity, sleep, and diet in preventing stroke and heart disease in patients with cerebral palsy. While such impacts are documented in the …
This study looked for biomarkers in the DNA of people with dyskenetic and ataxic CP with a goal to help in CP diagnosis. A previous study by the group found a DNA biomarker in people with spastic CP. …
Researchers are non-invasively studying the brains of premature infants using advanced MRI techniques to determine the relationship between oxygen levels provided in the hospital and the impact on out…
Researchers are examining the relationship between swallowing and speech mechanisms at several physiological levels. A better knowledge of typical and atypical development of swallow and speech could …
Individuals with CP often need to strengthen their muscles to participate in daily life. Few therapies help individuals strengthen their muscles on only one side. This grant seeks to develop a video g…
Appropriate treatment of CP requires that all symptoms of CP be addressed. This grant seeks to determine the nature of bladder-related symptoms individuals with CP face, in the hopes that one day thos…
The best diagnostic tool for CP in infants is difficult to use. Better diagnostic tools can diagnose earlier and easier, to intervene more effectively. This grant tests the ability of a pressure mat a…
VRO surgery (i.e., varus rotational osteotomy) is conducted on many cerebral palsy patients to maintain a level pelvis, a balanced spine, and mobile pain free hips. The purpose of this study was to de…
Researchers compared the effectiveness of two different approaches in helping a child with CP improve their gait: the strength-based approach verses the motor-based, or learning-based appro…
The objective of this multi-site research was to identify the relationship between social deprivation, resources offered, and participation levels of children with CP. Then, based on these factors, in…
The World Health Organization has created a universal framework for health (i.e., the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health or ICF). Using the ICF framework, this project …
We must fully understand cerebral palsy (CP) symptoms to treat the disorder. Spastic hypertonia, a muscle impairment, prevents individuals from experiencing normal life. But it cannot be quantitativel…
This research tested cryoablation to permanently resolve the drooling that so many people from cerebral palsy suffer from. Previously, temporary treatments produced dry-mouth side effects which …
This research compared outcomes for patients with CP based on when and if they receive surgery for hip dislocation. Such surgery is very common for people with CP, and the timing of treatment is probl…
Individuals with hemiplegic CP often use uncomfortable prosthetic devices that limit their mobility but help them retain balance. This grant test an alternative prosthetic that may be lower profile an…
Treatments for low bone density in children with cerebral palsy (CP) are based on adult treatments. Better treatments will emerge when scientists study on their intended subjects. This grant examines …
This was a “Planning and Feasibility Study” investigating an approach that was previously successful in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) often have challen…
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Overview Individuals with CP can struggle to walk and learn on time with their peers. This grant seeks to test a new form of treatment that uses electrical stim…
This project involved robotically-assisted (repetitive) physical therapy to improve mobility of arms and hands in children with CP. A collaborative group included researchers from Blythedale Chi…
The project “Learn from Every Patient” involved 1000 children with cerebral palsy to find the best treatments and apply new standards. The results of this project have been implemented at Nation…
Baclofen Pump Research Several research projects headed by Dr. Leland Albright, a pioneer in the use of the Baclofen Pump (ITB Therapy, or intrathecal baclofen therapy) which is a precise, targete…