GAME: Harnessing Neuroplasticity RCT Goal-directed Motor Enrichment for infant CP

Chief Investigators: Novak, Morgan, Badawi, Boyd, Hunt, Fahey, Pannek; NHMRC 2016-21 $2.7M

Rationale: A meta-analysis suggested the benefits for enriched environments to improve motor outcomes of infants at high risk of CP. GAME infant training has been tested in 2 pilot RCTs. The first RCT (n=13) examined short-term feasibility after 3-months of treatment and the 2nd RCT (n=30) examined long-term effects, after 9-months of GAME versus traditional intervention. GAME participants had significantly and clinically important greater motor total motor skill score after 3-months of short-term treatment; and after 9-months of long-term treatment, GAME participants had significantly and clinically important greater motor and cognitive skills measured on the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2) and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III).

Design: A larger single blind RCT (n=300, 150 per group, 80% power, p<0.05) has received NHMRC funding from 2017. The experimental group will receive GAME intervention until 2 years of age. The control group will receive standard care therapy.

Update: Two pilots totalling n=43 complete, 5 publications, New RCT has recruited n=248/300.

New Knowledge: Largest RCT worldwide of early intervention for CP.

Project members

Professor Iona Novak

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

Dr Cathy Morgan

Research Fellow
Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute

Professor Roslyn Boyd

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

Professor Rod Hunt

Professor for paediatrics, Monash Children's Hospital

Associate Professor Michael Fahey

Director of Neurogenetics, Monash Paediatrics
Monash University
Head of Child Neurology
Monash Children’s Hospital

Dr Kerstin Pannek

Academic Title Holder
Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre