Australasian Cerebral Palsy Clinical Trials Network

HABIT-ILE: RCT of Hand Arm Bimanual Intensive Training Including Lower Extremity training for children with bilateral CP

National Health and Medical Research Council

Chief Investigators: Sakzewski, Boyd, Bleyenheuft, Novak, Elliott, Morgan, Pannek. NHMRC1144846 $1.1M (2018-22).

Study Design: Multi-site RCT.

Aims: Efficacy of HABIT-ILE compared to CAU to improve motor function, manual ability, self-care, individualised goals and QOL in 126 children with bilateral CP. HABIT-ILE is an intensive group based motor-learning program of 65 hours of rehabilitation over 10 days. Outcomes include advanced MRI with fMRI guided diffusion MRI tractography.

Update: Recruitment of 76/126.

New knowledge: Limited evidence for interventions for bilateral CP. Results will inform effective interventions, understanding neuroplasticity & cost effectiveness to inform service providers (NDIS).

Project members

A/Prof. Leanne Sakzewski

Senior Research Fellow
Child Health Research Centre, University of Queensland

Professor Roslyn Boyd

Scientific Director, Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre
Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland

Dr Yannick Bleyenheuft

Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium

Professor Iona Novak

Head of Research, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute
School of Medicine, The University of Sydney

Professor Catherine Elliott

Chair of Allied Health, Child and Adolescent Health Service, School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work
Curtin University

Dr Cathy Morgan

Research Fellow
Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute

Dr Kerstin Pannek

Academic Title Holder
Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre