Seeking Participants
The Research Foundation supports research studies throughout Australia that require participants with cerebral palsy and/or their families.
Functional Splinting
Investigating the benefits of functional hand splints and motor training for children with cerebral palsy and brain injury
| Eligibility | Children aged 6 – 12 years with hemiplegic cerebral palsy |
| Location | Sydney, Newcastle and Melbourne (Australia) |
| Contact | Michelle Jackman E: michelle.jackman@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au T: 0429 502 111 |
| *Participants will have the opportunity to receive additional occupational therapy provided by a senior clinician | |
Stored Blood Spot Study
To investigate the link between Cytomegalovirus – CMV (a common virus that circulates virtually unnoticed in the community) and cerebral palsy by testing the stored newborn screening cards of children with cerebral palsy.
CMV can be transmitted from mother to the unborn child, and is a potentially preventable causal pathway to cerebral palsy. All children in Australia routinely have a ‘heel prick’ test shortly after birth to test for a number of inherited conditions. The blood is collected on filter paper (the ‘newborn screening card’) and then stored. Researchers can link this information with data from the Cerebral Palsy Register to describe the clinical features of children with cerebral palsy attributed to CMV.
| Eligibility | Children with cerebral palsy born in NSW between 1996-2012 |
| Contact | Hayley Smithers-Sheedy Cerebral Palsy Alliance – 187 Allambie Road, Allambie Heights NSW, Australia E: hsmitherssheedy@cerebralpalsy.org.au |
| After consenting to participate in the study, no further action is required. Researchers will then access your child’s newborn screening card and test it for CMV. Parents will receive a letter with their child’s CMV test results and a summary of the study findings. Parents can also discuss test results with one of the study investigators. | |
NSW/ACT Cerebral Palsy Register
Collect important clinical information to improve our understanding of cerebral palsy. The CP register monitors the prevalence of cerebral palsy and evaluates the effectiveness of current and future interventions aimed at treatment or prevention.
| Eligibility | Anyone with cerebral palsy born or living in NSW/ACT. There are no age limits. |
| Contact | Dr Sarah McIntyre Cerebral Palsy Alliance – 187 Allambie Road, Allambie Heights NSW, Australia E: cpregister@cerebralpalsy.org.au |
Bullying and the Emotional Resilience of Australian School Children with and without cerebral palsy – Online Survey
To investigate if children with cerebral palsy are bullied at school, and if they are, how they cope with being bullied.
| Contact | Louisa Salmon Email: l.salmon.10@student.scu.edu.au |
| Eligibility | Each person completing the survey needs to meet one of the following criteria:
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Mental Health of Children with Cerebral Palsy
Investigating the mental health of children with cerebral palsy.
Mental health issues are commonly experienced by children but little is known about how they affect children with cerebral palsy. Knowing more about identifying those children who may be at risk of developing mental health issues will assist to plan appropriate services for children and their families.
| Contact | To find out more and to take part in the anonymous survey, go to: Mental Health in Preschool and Primary Aged Children with Cerebral Palsy Or email: Sopie Monteath on email: cpandemotionalwellbeing@gmail.com |
| Eligibility | Parents or caregivers of a child with cerebral palsy who is between the ages of 3 to 15 years. |