ACTIVE STRIDES CP: RCT of Intensive Rehabilitation (Combined Intensive Gait & Cycling Training) for children with moderate to severe CP

Chief Investigators: Sakzewski, Boyd, Elliott, Novak, Pool, Trost, Ware, Comans, Toovey, Peterson

Study Design: Multi-site RCT.

Aims: Efficacy of Active Strides compared to CAU to improve gross motor function, habitual PA, cardiorespiratory fitness, walking speed/distance, community participation, daily activities and mobility, goals, healthcare use & QOL n=150 children (GMFCS III-IV). Intensive motor-learning based program, 40 hrs over 10 wks of 3 x 1.5 hr sessions weekly.

Update: Pilot RCTs & SR published.

New Knowledge: Limited evidence for interventions to improve both motor function & participation in moderate to severe CP. Results will inform 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

Professor Catherine Elliott

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

Professor Iona Novak

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

Professor Robert Ware

Professor, School of Medicine
Griffith University

A/Professor Tracy Comans

NHMRC Boosting Dementia Res Fellow
Centre for Health Services Research