Chief Investigators: Dr Leanne Sakzewski, Prof. Catherine Elliott, Prof. Roslyn Boyd, Prof Jenny Ziviani, Prof. Iona Novak, Prof Stewart Trost, Prof. Annette Majnemer

Associate Investigators: Sarah Reedman, Dr David Rowell, Dr Keiko Shikako-Thomas, Prof Robert Ware.

The Participate CP study will investigate the efficacy of an iniviidualised, goal directed intervention focuses on the child’s physically active leisure participation goals. Secondarily we will determine whether Participate CP leads to reduced time spent sedentary, increased time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity, and improved quality of life. The intervention will be delivered in the child’s own home, school, community setting dependent on the child’s individual participation goals. Participate CP is a multifaceted intervention targeted to the unique and modifiable barriers to participation for each child.  In parallel with the Participate CP study, we will develop an application to assist families and children locate local accessible physically activity leisure opportunities in their own local environment.

The Participate CP study offers a range of opportunities suitable for new graduates as well as experienced clinicians. Opportunities exist for candidates with a range of backgrounds including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and exercise science, human movements, medical, and or/health economists to undertake a PhD or Masters projects.

Student Opportunities:

  1. The relationship between capacity, participation and habitual physical activity in children with cerebral palsy  
  2. Evaluation of the implementation and uptake by families of children with disabilities of an application that enables families/children to locate local and assessable physically active leisure opportunities  
  3. Evaluation of fidelity in the delivery of Participate CP  
  4. Cost effectiveness of Participate CP compared to usual care.  
  5. Validation of an assessment of Fundamental Movement Skills for children with cerebral palsy (GMFCS I-II).

For further information contact:

Dr Leanne Sakzewski

Phone: 07 3069 7345/ 0417758565

Email: l.sakzewski1@uq.edu.au