Liberty Trial: Pre-post trial of Closed Loop direct spinal cord stimulation to reduce spasticity and improve function in children with CP

Chief Investigators: Parker, Dusseldorp, Badawi, Novak, Paget, Edwards, Kentish, Sakzewski, Boyd. MRFF Frontiers $1M (2019-20).

Study Design: Prospective pre-post.

Aims: Test closed loop direct spinal cord stimulation to reduce spasticity and improve gross motor function in n=30. This new device has shown large effects on pain reduction in adults.

Update: Screening commenced.

New Knowledge: Potential reversible and titratable option to reduce spasticity and improve function.

Project members

Professor Nadia Badawi

Macquarie Group Foundation Chair of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy Alliance.
Neonatologist, Medical Director
Grace Centre for Newborn Care, Westmead

Professor Iona Novak

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

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