About us

Aim

Aim

Aim

The general aim of this project is to develop a biomechanics simulation platform (in silico) based in subject-specific musculoskeletal models (SS-MSK) capable of predicting the outcome of the different surgical procedures (BTI or/and SEMLS), that will enable the surgeon to better select the one that has the highest potential of improving gait performance

The OpenSim platform (Stanford University) will be used for model development integrated with deep learning algorithms for automatic movement patterns classification.

Summary

Summary

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a permanent condition and is the most common cause of significant physical disabilities and motor impairment in childhood. The Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE) network indicates an overall prevalence of CP in Europe of 0.89, 6.2, 35.9, and 38.2 for normal, moderately low, very low and extremely low birthweight children, respectively, per 1000 live births. The number of patients is expected to increase as the risk of developing CP is higher in premature children, who nowadays have an increased survival rate. In Portugal, the last report from the National Surveillance of PC at 5 years old refers an annual incidence of 2 cases per 1000 live births. Children with CP suffer from a brain lesion which results in impaired motor control, spasticity and muscle weakness (primary disorders) and contractures and lower limb bone deformities (secondary disorders). These factors undermine gait performance and mobility, being an obstacle to the integration, inclusion and participation of these children in the society. This condition involves high costs both for the child and their family and for the national healthcare system. The complexity of this condition demands a transdisciplinary support system through life, involving clinical, social security and educational components. To improve gait performance, children with CP are often treated with single event multi-level surgery (SEMLS), usually in association with localized botulinum toxin injections (BTI). SEMLS is an invasive procedure with permanent outcomes, the BTI is less invasive but the outcomes are only temporary. Currently the type of treatment (BTI or SEMLS) and its patient-specific adjustment are based on a clinical assessment of the patient, integrated 3D clinical gait analysis (CGA) and the experience of the clinical staff. CGA has drastically helped the clinical decision making process in developed countries. However functional outcomes are not always easy to predict, resulting in unwanted follow-up treatments. This is mainly due to the difficulty to predict gait functional outcome, since gait performance relies on a complex interaction between musculoskeletal geometry, muscle weakness, increased muscle-tendon stiffness and impaired motor control. The use of accurate subject specific musculoskeletal computer simulations (SS-MSK) of the treatment could help to predict its outcomes and thus further assist the clinical decision making process. Determining the amount of clinical data that is crucial to allow a valid simulation of the intervention results, so that the use of SS- MKS become more cost effective will be crucial. By predicting gait performance in each child with CP, the risks of the intervention can be quantified, and each intervention can be fine-tuned. Consequently, unnecessary surgeries can be avoided, decreasing the social and economic costs, as well as unwanted surgical outcomes that can be expensive for the families and for the child well-being.

References

Referência do Projeto:

PTDC/EMD-EMD/5804/2020

Título:

Desenvolvimento de uma plataforma de simulação biomecânica baseada em modelos
músculo-esqueléticos preditivos do efeito de intervenção ortopédica na melhoria da
marcha em crianças com paralisia cerebral

Concurso * Programa * Área:

PTDC 2020 * 3599-PPCDTI * Engenharia Médica
Data de Início: 25-03-2021 Data de Fim: 24-03-2025
fct

Funding

Fundação para
a Ciência e Tecnologia

Amount: 243.421,25€

Team Members

António Veloso (PI )

CIPER, Neuromuscular Biomechanics Group, FMH, ULISBOA

Ilse Jonkers (Co-PI )

KU Leuven, Human Movement Biomechanics Research Group, Faculty of Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences

  • Antoine Nordez Nantes Université
  • Carolina Escalda Hospital Garcia de Orta, EPE
  • Filipa João CIPER, Neuromuscular Biomechanics Group, FMH, ULISBOA
  • João Campagnolo Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE (CHLC)
  • Margarida Freitas Hospital Garcia de Orta, EPE
  • Cristina Duarte Hospital Garcia de Orta, EPE
  • Mª Filomena Carnide CIPER, Neuromuscular Biomechanics Group, FMH, ULISBOA
  • Mª Filomena Vieira CIPER, Neuromuscular Biomechanics Group, FMH, ULISBOA
  • Mª José Costa Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE (CHLC)
  • Salomé Almeida Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE (CHLC)
  • Patricia Mota Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, IPL
  • Rita Amado Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE (CHLC)
  • Sílvia Cabral CIPER, Neuromuscular Biomechanics Group, FMH, ULISBOA
  • Susana Vieira IDMEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, ULISBOA
  • Thomas Kepple Queens University/C-Motion Research
  • Vera Moniz Pereira CIPER, Neuromuscular Biomechanics Group, FMH, ULISBOA
  • Scott Selbie Queens University/C-Motion Research

Scholarship Holders

  • Javad Sarvestan Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, ULISBOA
  • Marta Rafaela dos Santos Ferreira Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, ULISBOA
  • Carolina Rolo M. Silva Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, ULISBOA
  • Raquel José da Costa Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, ULISBOA
  • Vasilisa Dalovic Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, ULISBOA

Partners

Outputs

  • Rui Miguel Almeida Dias Silva. 2025. Development and implementation of a new system for the production of custom ankle-foot orthoses. PhD in Human Kinetics, Biomechanics specialty. Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa. António Prieto Veloso. view thesis
  • Maria Raquel Branco Raposo. 2023. Plantar Pressure Gait Analysis in Children with Cerebral Palsy. PhD in Human Kinetics, Biomechanics specialty. Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa. Filipa João. view thesis
  • Diogo Filipe dos Reis Ricardo. 2022. Ankle-foot orthoses: a biomechanical approach to the effects of a non-invasive therapeutical management of the gait in children with cerebral palsy. PhD in Human Kinetics, Biomechanics specialty. Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa. Filipa João. view thesis
  • Carolina Rolo Martins Santos Silva. 2025. "Effects of model personalisation on the study of crouch gait biomechanics – a musculoskeletal modelling approach". Master in biomedical engineering. NOVA University Lisbon. António Veloso. view thesis
  • Vasilisa Dalovic. 2025. "Development of personalised musculoskeletal models based on current clinical evaluation data in children with Cerebral Palsy". Master in Biomedical Engineering. IST Universidade de Lisboa. António Veloso e Carlos Quental. view thesis
  • Raquel Costa. 2024. "Gait biomechanics in Cerebral Palsy children: comparison of Markerless and Marker-based motion capture systems". MSc in Biomedical and Biophysics Engineering. Faculty of Sciences and Faculty of Human Kinetics - University of Lisbon. Filipa João & Nuno Garcia. view thesis
  • Luis Abílio de Sousa Fonseca Machado e Cunha. 2023. "Using musculoskeletal modeling to assess muscle function and gait symmetry after a strayer procedure applied to a child with cerebral palsy". Master in biomedical engineering. NOVA University Lisbon. António Veloso e Cláudia Quaresma. view thesis
  • Catarina Gato Cardadeiro. 2021. "Model-based comparative biomechanics and muscle function analysis of simulated crouch gait by healthy children and crouch gait in CP children". Master in Biomedical Engineering. NOVA University Lisbon. António Veloso e Cláudia Quaresma. view thesis
  • Catarina Cardadeiro, Filipa Joao, Rodrigo Mateus, António Veloso. 2025. Simulated crouch gait by healthy children can help to understand what is behind the crouch gait pattern in CP Children. Submitted to Journal: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. Specialty Section: Biomechanics Article type: Original Research Article Manuscript ID: 1754954 Received on: 26 Nov 2025 view pdf
  • Raquel Costa, António Veloso Filipa João. 2025. Comparison of Marker-based and Markerless motion capture systems to assess gait kinematics and kinetics in children with Cerebral Palsy. Submitted to Gait & Posture Article Type: Full Length Article view pdf
  • Ventura, R. B., Sousa, J. M. C., João, F., Veloso, A. P., & Vieira, S. M.. 2025. Automatic Classification of Gait Patterns in Cerebral Palsy Patients. Automation, 6(4), 71 https://doi.org/10.3390/automation6040071
  • Rui Silva, António Veloso, Pedro Morouço, Nuno Alves. 2024. Flexible 3D scanning apparatus for anatomic applications: Concept and preliminary results. AIP Conf. Proc, 3094 (1): 150003 https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0211405
  • Rui Silva, António Veloso, Pedro Morouço, Nuno Alves. 2024. Advanced and flexible 3D scanning apparatus for customized Ankle foot orthoses. AIP Conf. Proc, 3094 (1): 150001. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0211404
  • Silva R, Morouço P, Lains J, Amorim P, Alves N, Veloso AP. 2024. Innovative Design and Development of Personalized Ankle-Foot Orthoses for Survivors of Stroke With Equinovarus Foot: Protocol for a Feasibility and Comparative Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2024;13:e52365 https://doi.org/10.2196/52365
  • Silva, R., Silva, B., Fernandes, C., Morouço, P., Alves, N., & Veloso, A.. 2024. A Review on 3D Scanners Studies for Producing Customized Orthoses. Sensors, 24(5), 1373. https://doi.org/10.3390/s24051373
  • Escalda C., Ferreira M., Mateus R., João F., Veloso AP. 2023. Knee joint contact forces to assess the effect of single event multilevel surgery over time in crouch gait. Gait & Posture, 106, Supplement 1. S56-S57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.070
  • Maria Raquel Raposo, Diogo Ricardo, Antonio Prieto Veloso et al.. 2023. Plantar Pressure Analysis in Children with Cerebral Palsy While Wearing Orthoses - a Descriptive Study. PREPRINT (Version 1) available at Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2846360/v1
  • Cabral, S., Fernandes, R., Selbie, W. S., Moniz-Pereira, V., & Veloso, A. P.. 2022. Reliability of a Global Gait Symmetry Index Based on Linear Joint Displacements. Applied Sciences, 12(24), 12558. https://doi.org/10.3390/app122412558
  • João F, Alves S, Secca M, Noseworthy M, Veloso A. 2022. Fatigue Effects on the Lower Leg Muscle Architecture Using Diffusion Tensor MRI. Applied Sciences, 12(19): 9767. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12199767
  • D. Ricardo, M.R. Raposo, A. Veloso, F. João. 2022. The gait profile score to assess the effects of ankle-foot orthoses in the gait of children with cerebral palsy. Volume 97, Supplement 1, Pages S204-S205, ISSN 0966-6362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.07.129
  • Raposo MR, Ricardo D, Teles J, Veloso AP, João F. 2022. Gait Analysis in Children with Cerebral Palsy: Are Plantar Pressure Insoles a Reliable Tool?. Sensors. 22(14):5234. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22145234
  • Silva R, Veloso A, Alves N, Fernandes C, Morouço P. 2022. Review of Additive Manufacturing Studies for Producing Customized Ankle-Foot Orthoses. Bioengineering. 9(6):249. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9060249
  • Fernandes C, Trindade D, Silva R, Moura C, Morouço P, Veloso A, Alves N. 2022. The New Era of Additive Manufactured Orthopaedic Devices: Materials and Their Mechanical Performance. Materials Proceedings. 8(1):6. https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4605/8/1/6
  • F. Joao, D. Ricardo, M.R. Raposo, A. Veloso. 2021. Effect of different pose estimation algorithms in gait kinematics of cerebral palsy children using ankle foot orthosis (work in progress). Gait & Posture, Volume 90, Supplement 1, Pages 112-113,ISSN 0966-6362. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966636221003660
  • Ricardo D, Teles J, Raposo MR, Veloso AP, João F. 2021. Test-Retest Reliability of a 6DoF Marker Set for Gait Analysis in Cerebral Palsy Children. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11(14):6515. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11146515
  • Ricardo, D; Raposo, MR; Cruz, EB; Oliveira, R; Carnide, F; Veloso, AP; Joao, F. 2021. Effects of Ankle Foot Orthoses on the Gait Patterns in Children with Spastic Bilateral Cerebral Palsy. A Scoping Review, Children, Volume 8, Issue 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8100903
  • Pieter-Jan Terryn, Paulo R. Fernandes, Filipa João, António Veloso, Fátima Baptista. 2021. Modeling the musculoskeletal loading in bone remodeling at the hip of a child, Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine. Volume 210, 2021, 106365, ISSN 0169-2607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmpb.2021.106365
  • Carolina Silva , Basílio Gonçalves , Filipa João3 , Rodrigo Mateus & António Veloso. (2025). July 23 rd – 25 th 2025. Can a personalized model using the Opensim torsion based on a low cost clinical evaluation contribute to the understanding of Crouch Gait Biomechanics?. XX International Symposium on Computer Simulation in Biomechanics. https://tgcs.isbweb.org/iscsb-2025/abstracts/05_P1-5.pdf
  • Catarina. Cardadeiro, Filipa João, Rodrigo Mateus & António. P. Veloso. (2024). Can simulated crouch gait by healthy children help to understand what is behind the crouch gait pattern? 2024. Twenty-Third, congress of the Canadian Society of Biomechanics. Edmonton, ON.Canada.. https://csb-scb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CSB2024FinalProgram.pdf
  • Luís Cunha, Basílio Gonçalves, Rodrigo B. Mateus & António P. Veloso. (2024). June 30 – July 3. Assessment of muscle function and gait asymmetry after a strayer procedure applied to a child with cerebral palsy. 29th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics. https://esbiomech.org/conference/archive/2024edinburgh/abstracts/1306.pdf
  • Raposo, Maria Raquel, Ricardo, Diogo, Veloso, António Prieto and João, Filipa. (2024). 8-9. Feb. Plantar Pressure Analysis in Children with Cerebral Palsy While Wearing Orthoses – a Descriptive Study. 1º Congresso Multidisciplinar Paralisia Cerebral Porto Portugal. https://www.appc.pt/eventos/congressopc/
  • Escalda C., Ferreira M., Mateus R., João F., Veloso AP. (2023). Knee joint contact forces to assess the effect of single event multilevel surgery over time in crouch gait. Gait & Posture, 106, Supplement 1. S56-S57.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.070
  • Carolina Escalda, Marta Ferreira, Rodrigo Mateus, Filipa João, António Veloso. (2023). 18-20. Maio. Knee Joint Contact Forces to assess the effect of Single Event Multi Level Surgery over time in crouch gait. Oral Presentation. 11º Congresso Nacional e XXVIII Jornadas de Ortopedia Infantil. Covilhã. Portugal. https://spot.pt/eventos/11o-congresso-nacional-e-xxviii-jornadas-de-ortopedia-infantil/
  • João F.. (2023). 18-20. Maio. Análise neuromecânica da marcha na identificação, monitorização e apoio à tomada de decisão clínica. O Desafio dos Dados: Uma Nova Fronteira nas Doenças Neurodegenerativas - Workshop da RedeSaude da Universidade de Lisboa. 31 janeiro 2023. Salão Nobre da Reitoria da Universidade de Lisboa.. https://www.ulisboa.pt/evento/workshop-o-desafio-dos-dados-uma-nova-fronteira-nas-doencas-neurodegenerativas
  • C. Cardadeiro, F. João, R. Mateus, A. P. Veloso. (2022). 26-29. June. Muscle Contributions to Center of Mass Acceleration in Simulated Crouch Gait by Healthy Children. 27th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, Porto. https://esbiomech.org/conference/archive/2022porto/papers/porto_2023.pdf
  • António Prieto Veloso, University of Lisbon (Portugal). (2021). Model-based comparative biomechanics and muscle function analysis of simulated crouch gait by healthy children and crouch gait in CP children. 11th Symposium on Motor Control in Biomechanics on April 11th, 2021 in conjunction with the 2021 International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics Meeting (iFAB). https://www.mcg.isbweb.org/news-ifab-2021.html
  • F.Joao, D.Ricardo, M.R. Raposo, A.Veloso. (2021). 112–113. Effect of different pose estimation algorithms in gait kinematics of cerebral palsy children using Ankle Foot Orthosis (work in progress). ESMAC Conference (online). Gait & Posture 90.
  • António Veloso, Filipa João, Filomena Carnide, Sílvia Cabral, Vera Moniz Pereira. 2025. Manual de boas práticas para a análise clínica da marcha em crianças com paralisia cerebral. Biomechanics and Functional Morphology Laboratory view pdf (EN) view pdf (PT)
  • João F., Vila-Nova F., Moniz Pereira L., Mota P., Carvalho J., Virella D., Alvarelhão J. 2023. Manual de Atividade Física Adaptada para Pessoas com Paralisia Cerebral. Ministério da Saúde - Direção Geral de Saúde. view pdf