ResearchWorks is heading to AACPDM 2026 in Philadelphia this year!

We can't wait to see you there - it's a special 80th Annual Meeting for the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM).

Join with us as we speak with Dr Kristie Bjornson - live from EACD 2026 in Galway Ireland, the final episode that we recorded on our European tour! A preview of what to expect from this year's annual congress and a look at the host city, Philadelphia!

Register here:
https://www.aacpdm.org/events/2026/registration

It's the special summary episode of our EACD 2026 conference series live from Galway Ireland! The conference was centred around the F-words and there was a call to action on the clinical application of the F-words.

Enjoy the final episode of our European Academy of Childhood-onset Disability Annual Congress series - the ResearchWorks team are on a mini-break, which we hope you'll use to catch up the entire series of episodes from Galway.

We'll be back with full length episodes in a few weeks time!

Thank you to everyone who came by the booth to say hello, to all of our guests on the show, to Theresa for the generous shout-out in the closing ceremony and to those who keep telling Ed he needs his own podcast, or to record his own audiobook!

He's too busy editing the pod to do that but he is very honoured whenever he gets asked for a selfie.... that happens more than you might think! :)

Optimising the neuroplasticity window: from evidence to early CP intervention

We're in Maulbronn Germany - at the pre-conference sessions!

We catch up with Dr Sebastian Schroeder - a look behind the scenes at EACD / IAACD 2025. Dr Schroeder is the Chair of the Scientific Committee for the conference and one of the key personnel behind the combined congress this year. Hearing his heart for the conference was a beautiful insight into the interdisciplinary and collaborative philosophies that Dr Schroeder and his team brought to the fore.

Be sure to visit the m:con Mannheim YouTube channel for the special video-casts we created for the Pre-Conference - all set in the beautiful location of Maulbronn Monastery - a UNESCO world heritage site!

The video-casts will be available on the mconmannheim YouTube channel over the course of the conference and mirrored to the ResearchWorks YouTube channel after the conference too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH1TtdUvDCY

We're in Maulbronn Germany - at the pre-conference sessions!

We catch up with Professor Novak - State of the Evidence, traffic lights. A brilliant conversation about her seminal work and the future of stem cells and early intervention.

"...i did it myself..." "...whose brain is doing the work?..." 

Be sure to visit the m:con Mannheim YouTube channel for the special video-casts we created for the Pre-Conference - all set in the beautiful location of Maulbronn Monastery - a UNESCO world heritage site!


The video-casts will be available on the mconmannheim YouTube channel over the course of the conference and mirrored to the ResearchWorks YouTube channel after the conference too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql9n_jw2u88

We're in Maulbronn Germany - at the pre-conference sessions!

We catch up with Dr Greaves - all about upper limb therapy, unilateral cerebral palsy, bimanual therapy and all things hands-off!

Be sure to visit the m:con Mannheim YouTube channel for the special video-casts we created for the Pre-Conference - all set in the beautiful location of Maulbronn Monastery - a UNESCO world heritage site!

The video-casts will be available on the mconmannheim YouTube channel over the course of the conference and mirrored to the ResearchWorks YouTube channel after the conference too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKt_gSrWhGI

We're in Maulbronn Germany - at the pre-conference sessions!

We catch up with Professor Ortibus - a conversation centred around CVI (cerebral visual impairment)!

Be sure to visit the m:con Mannheim YouTube channel for the special video-casts we created for the Pre-Conference - all set in the beautiful location of Maulbronn Monastery - a UNESCO world heritage site!

The video-casts will be available on the mconmannheim YouTube channel over the course of the conference and mirrored to the ResearchWorks YouTube channel after the conference too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvftmDsnx5s

We're in Maulbronn Germany - at the pre-conference sessions!

We catch up with Professor Bleyenheuft - the Habit-ile story, it's origins and what the future holds!

Be sure to visit the m:con Mannheim YouTube channel for the special video-casts we created for the Pre-Conference - all set in the beautiful location of Maulbronn Monastery - a UNESCO world heritage site!

The video-casts will be available on the mconmannheim YouTube channel over the course of the conference and mirrored to the ResearchWorks YouTube channel after the conference too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mLUsArpXDA

We're in Maulbronn Germany - at the pre-conference sessions!

We catch up with Professor Blank - EACD / IAACD 2025 President and a man giving voice to the international community! Professor Blank has visited a number of countries world-wide onsite in order to hear the international voices on childhood-onset disabilities. 

Be sure to visit the m:con Mannheim YouTube channel for the special video-casts we created for the Pre-Conference - all set in the beautiful location of Maulbronn Monastery - a UNESCO world heritage site!

The video-casts will be available on the mconmannheim YouTube channel over the course of the conference and mirrored to the ResearchWorks YouTube channel after the conference too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8cvgjXr44E

Aim: To define the longitudinal trajectory of gastrocnemius muscle growth in 6- to 36-month-old children with and without spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) and to compare trajectories by levels of gross motor function (Gross Motor Function Classification System, GMFCS) and presumed brain-lesion timing.

Method: Twenty typically developing children and 24 children with SCP (GMFCS levels I-II/III-IV = 15/9), were included (28/16 females/males; mean age at first scan 15.4 months [standard deviation 4.93, range 6.24-23.8]). Three-dimensional freehand ultrasound was used to repeatedly assess muscle volume, length, and cross-sectional area (CSA), resulting in 138 assessments (mean interval 7.9 months). Brain lesion timing was evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging classification. Linear mixed-effects models defined growth rates, adjusted for GMFCS levels and presumed brain-lesion timing.

Results: At age 12 months, children with SCP showed smaller morphological muscle size than typically developing children (5.8 mL vs 9.8 mL, p < 0.001), while subsequently no differences in muscle growth were found between children with and without SCP (muscle volume: 0.65 mL/month vs 0.74 mL/month). However, muscle volume and CSA growth rates were lower in children classified in GMFCS levels III and IV than typically developing children and those classified in GMFCS levels I and II, with differences ranging from -56% to -70% (p < 0.001).

Interpretation: Muscle growth is already hampered during infancy in SCP. Muscle size growth further reduces with decreasing functional levels, independently from the brain lesion. Early monitoring of muscle growth combined with early intervention is needed.

Are we focusing too much on body structures and functions?   Should participation and the F-words—Fun, Family, Friends, Fitness, Function, and Future—be leading the way?  

Dr. Ginny Paleg is a pediatric physiotherapist specializing in children with severe motor impairments, particularly those at GMFCS Levels IV and V. She holds a Master’s in Physical Therapy from Emory University and a Doctorate from the University of Maryland Baltimore.   

Certified in the Prechtl GMA and HINE, Dr. Paleg integrates evidence-based tools with coaching and routines-based interventions. With over 60 peer-reviewed publications, her research spans standers, supported stepping, and power mobility for children with complex needs. She is the lead author of the AACPDM Hypotonia Care Pathway and serves on the AACPDM Care Pathway Council, having held key roles in both AACPDM and the EACD.  

If you’ve ever found yourself in a heated Facebook thread or a passionate discussion with colleagues about what really matters in pediatric therapy, you’re not alone. Dr. Ginny Paleg moderates some of these spaces, and what’s always clear is that therapists deeply care—they want children to thrive. But the differences in approach can be striking.   

Today, we’re diving into the heart of this tension through the lens of the ICF-CY framework. It’s a big conversation, and one we think is absolutely worth having.

Interrupting normal broadcasting for a quick announcement! The ResearchWorks team are heading to Heidelberg Germany in a few weeks time to interview guests from across Europe and around the globe!

From video-casts to audio-casts, it will be a full integration into the conference and we're excited to bring you all the latest in research from Heidelberg - with dozens of interviews!

We still have a number of episodes pre-conference to release with dozens more lined up for the months of June/July!

Also - stay tuned for an extra special announcement - it will be worth the wait, we promise! 

Children with developmental central hypotonia have reduced muscle tone secondary to non-progressive damage to the brain or brainstem. Children may have transient delays, mild or global functional impairments, and the lack of a clear understanding of this diagnosis makes evaluating appropriate interventions challenging. 

This overview aimed to systematically describe the best available evidence for tools to identify and evaluate children with developmental central hypotonia aged 2 months to 6 years. 

A systematic review of systematic reviews or syntheses was conducted with electronic searches in PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Google Scholar, and PEDro and supplemented with hand-searching. Methodological quality and risk-of-bias were evaluated, and included reviews and tools were compared and contrasted. Three systematic reviews, an evidence-based clinical assessment algorithm, three measurement protocols, and two additional measurement tools were identified. 

For children aged 2 months to 2 years, the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination has the strongest measurement properties and contains a subset of items that may be useful for quantifying the severity of hypotonia. 

For children aged 2-6 years, a clinical algorithm and individual tools provide guidance. Further research is required to develop and validate all evaluative tools for children with developmental central hypotonia.

Does multi- level surgery weaken muscles in ambulatory youth with CP?

Gross Motor Family Report: Refinement and evaluation of psychometric properties

Elton D. D. Magalhães, Peter Rosenbaum, Marilyn Wright, F. Virginia Wright, Lesley Pritchard, Kennea M. A. Ayupe, Ana Carolina de Campos, Rosane S. Morais, Hercules R. Leite, Paula S. C. Chagas

Abstract

Aim
To refine the Gross Motor Family Report (GM-FR) using parents' input and to evaluate its psychometric properties.

Method
In this measurement study, 12 parents of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP), aged 2 to 18 years, classified in all levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), were interviewed about their experience completing the GM-FR (content validity). Parents' feedback was used to refine the measure which was then completed by 146 families to evaluate internal consistency, and discriminative and concurrent validity. Forty-six parents completed the GM-FR again, 7 to 30 days later, to evaluate test–retest reliability.

Results
GM-FR scoring, pictures, descriptions, and the total number of items were revised based on parents' feedback. The GM-FR version 2.0 demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.99), no floor/ceiling effects, and excellent test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.99). GM-FR scores discriminated between GMFCS levels (p less than 0.05) and were strongly negatively correlated with GMFCS level (r = −0.92; p less than 0.001). GM-FR scores correlated positively and strongly with the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (r = 0.94; p less than 0.001) and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory – Computer Adaptive Test mobility domain (r = 0.93; p less than 0.001).

Interpretation
Active participation of families in the GM-FR's development facilitated creation of a family-friendly instrument. This study provides strong evidence of reliability and validity to support GM-FR use in clinical practice and research for assessing gross motor performance of children and adolescents with CP.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dmcn.16042

Professor Gareth Baynam is a globally recognised clinical geneticist, researcher, and advocate for rare diseases. He is the Director of the Rare Care Centre at Perth Children's Hospital and the Head of the Western Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies. 

With a career dedicated to improving the diagnosis, management, and care of individuals with rare and genetic conditions, he has been at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technologies such as genomics, artificial intelligence, and precision medicine into healthcare. 

Professor Baynam is also a leader in Indigenous health initiatives, championing equitable access to rare disease diagnostics and treatment. Through his work with organizations such as the Global Commission to End the Diagnostic Odyssey for Children with a Rare Disease and the European Rare Diseases Research Alliance (ERDERA),  he continues to drive global collaborations and innovations that aim to transform rare disease care.

Anita R Gross, Kenneth A Olson, Jan Pool, Annalie Basson, Derek Clewley, Jenifer L Dice, Nikki Milne

• PMID: 38855972
• PMCID: PMC11216248
• DOI: 10.1080/10669817.2024.2332026

Abstract

Introduction: An international taskforce of clinician-scientists was formed by specialty groups of World Physiotherapy - International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) & International Organisation of Physiotherapists in Paediatrics (IOPTP) - to develop evidence-based practice position statements directing physiotherapists clinical reasoning for the safe and effective use of spinal manipulation and mobilisation for paediatric populations (<18 years) with varied musculoskeletal or non-musculoskeletal conditions.

Method: A three-stage guideline process using validated methodology was completed: 1. Literature review stage (one scoping review, two reviews exploring psychometric properties); 2. Delphi stage (one 3-Round expert Delphi survey); and 3. Refinement stage (evidence-to-decision summative analysis, position statement development, evidence gap map analyses, and multilayer review processes).

Results: Evidence-based practice position statements were developed to guide the appropriate use of spinal manipulation and mobilisation for paediatric populations. All were predicated on clinicians using biopsychosocial clinical reasoning to determine when the intervention is appropriate.1. It is not recommended to perform:• Spinal manipulation and mobilisation on infants.• Cervical and lumbar spine manipulation on children.•Spinal manipulation and mobilisation on infants, children, and adolescents for non-musculoskeletal paediatric conditions including asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, breastfeeding difficulties, cerebral palsy, infantile colic, nocturnal enuresis, and otitis media.2. It may be appropriate to treat musculoskeletal conditions including spinal mobility impairments associated with neck-back pain and neck pain with headache utilising:• Spinal mobilisation and manipulation on adolescents;• Spinal mobilisation on children; or• Thoracic manipulation on children for neck-back pain only.3. No high certainty evidence to recommend these interventions was available.Reports of mild to severe harms exist; however, risk rates could not be determined.

Conclusion: Specific directives to guide physiotherapists' clinical reasoning on the appropriate use of spinal manipulation or mobilisation were identified. Future research should focus on trials for priority conditions (neck-back pain) in children and adolescents, psychometric properties of key outcome measures, knowledge translation, and harms.

Early Detection and Early Intervention - where are we now (and what does the future hold)?

The last time we had Alicia on the pod, we spoke about the Cochrane Review she led titled “Early developmental intervention programmes provided post hospital discharge to prevent motor and cognitive impairment in preterm infants” which was published in 2024. In this week’s episode, we thought we’d ask Alicia about the state of early intervention right now and what the provision of therapy looks like within our current context of early detection and early intervention for children with cerebral palsy.

There have been some rather significant developments in the early detection and early intervention space over the past 20 years. From the rapid technological advances to the value of co-design and involvement of people with lived experience, we now have some impressive evidence to guide our clinical pathways. However, what is very clear now is the vital importance of implementation. The industry has generated substantial knowledge that now needs to be implemented into practice with one particularly important aspect that we must include - family involvement and well-being. 

Alicia speaks ever so passionately about our role as therapists and I cannot help but to feel even more compelled to ensure that the family is at the centre of everything we do. It is exciting to know that we have the evidence now, so it’s time to put it into practice and it can start in your very next session.

https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/27041-alicia-spittle

Implementing Clinical Practice Guidelines for Improving Function in Cerebral Palsy: Development of a Fidelity Tool

In this study, the research team developed a 21-item fidelity tool to help clinicians implement evidence-based guidelines for improving function in children with cerebral palsy. Designed for goal setting, intervention, and reflection, the tool was found to be practical and useful but faced challenges like time constraints and family expectations. The study highlights the need for education, self-reflection, and organisational support to bridge the gap between research and practice.

Abstract
Purpose: To develop a fidelity tool to support the implementation of clinical practice guidelines to improve physical function for children and young people with cerebral palsy.

Methods: Fidelity tool development followed a 5-step process: the pilot study, using a mixed-methods action research approach, and including focus groups, questionnaires, and field notes.

Results: A 21-item fidelity tool representing the core components of the clinical practice guidelines was developed, including subsections of goal setting, intervention, and elements seen throughout therapeutic intervention. Clinicians and supervisors reported this tool as acceptable and feasible, especially when used as a self-reflection tool.

Conclusions: A fidelity tool has been developed that clinicians, supervisors and organizations can use to reflect on current practice and plan for changes to align practice with guidelines to improve function in children with cerebral palsy.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39378353/

Professor Nick Gottardo walks us through medulloblastomas - a comprehensive master class for clinicians and researchers.  Expect to learn about early signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Dr Nick breaks this down beautifully.

What was really clear throughout our discussion was that collaboration is key. Given the incidence of medulloblastomas and the specific subtypes that fall within this category, it would not be possible to develop effective treatments that minimise detrimental side effects without coming together with centres across the world.

This episode is truly special so if you want to know the current state of the evidence when it comes to treating medulloblastomas - this is a must listen episode.

All about knowledge translation

A special episode with our illustrious hosts before we catch up with Professor Nick Gottardo, Professor Alicia Spittle, Professor Andrew Whitehouse, Dr Gareth Baynam, Assoc. Professor Nikki Milne and Assoc. Clinical Professor Anita Gross amongst many others!

Randomized Comparison Trial of Rehabilitation Very Early for Infants with Congenital Hemiplegia

Roslyn N Boyd, Susan Greaves, Jenny Ziviani, Iona Novak, Nadia Badawi, Kerstin Pannek, Catherine Elliott, Margaret Wallen, Catherine Morgan, Jane Valentine, Lisa Findlay, Andrea Guzzetta, Koa Whittingham, Robert S Ware, Simona Fiori, Nathalie L Maitre, Jill Heathcock, Kimberley Scott, Ann-Christin Eliasson, Leanne Sakzewski

PMID: 39477009 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.114381

Free article

Abstract
Objective: To compare efficacy of constraint-induced movement therapy (Baby-CIMT) with bimanual therapy (Baby-BIM) in infants at high risk of unilateral cerebral palsy.

Study design: This was a single-blind, randomized-comparison-trial that had the following inclusion criteria: (1) asymmetric brain lesion (2) absent fidgety General Movements, (3) Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination below cerebral palsy cut-points, (4) entry at 3-9 months of corrected age, and (5) greater than 3-point difference between hands on Hand Assessment Infants (HAI). Infants were randomized to Baby-CIMT or Baby-BIM, which comprised 6-9 months of home-based intervention. Daily dose varied from 20 to 40 minutes according to age (total 70-89.2 hours). Primary outcome measure was the HAI after intervention, with secondary outcomes Mini-Assisting Hand Assessment and Bayley III cognition at 24 months of corrected age.

Results: In total, 96 infants (51 male, 52 right hemiplegia) born median at 37-weeks of gestation were randomized to Baby-CIMT (n = 46) or Baby-BIM (n = 50) and commenced intervention at a mean 6.5 (SD 1.6) months corrected age. There were no between group differences immediately after intervention on HAI (mean difference MD 0.98 HAI units, 95% CI 0.94-2.91; P = .31). Both groups demonstrated significant clinically important improvements from baseline to after intervention (Baby-BIM MD 3.48, 95% CI 2.09-4.87; Baby-CIMT MD 4.42, 95% CI 3.07-5.77). At 24 months, 64 infants were diagnosed with unilateral cerebral palsy (35 Baby-CIMT, 29 Baby-BIM). Infants who entered the study between 3 and 6 months of corrected age had greater change in HAI Both Hands Sum Score compared with those who entered at ≥6 months of corrected age (MD 7.17, 95% CI 2.93-11.41, P = .001).

Conclusions: Baby-CIMT was not superior to Baby-BIM, and both interventions improved hand development. Infants commencing intervention at greater than 6 months corrected age had greater improvements in hand function.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39477009/

Upper Limb Therapy for Infants and Young Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Clinical Framework

Susan Greaves, Brian Hoare

PMID: 39598017 PMCID: PMC11594546 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13226873

Abstract

Early detection and rehabilitation interventions are essential to optimise motor function in infants and young children with unilateral cerebral palsy. In this paper we report a clinical framework aimed at enhancing upper limb therapy for infants and young children with unilateral cerebral palsy during a sensitive period of brain development. 

We describe two major therapeutic approaches based on motor learning principles and evidence: constraint-induced movement therapy and bimanual therapy. These two therapies have demonstrated efficacy in older children and emerging evidence is available for their application to infants younger than 2 years of age. To provide clinicians with guidance as to when to implement these therapies, we discuss the key consideration when undertaking upper limb therapy programs. In addition, we describe the factors to consider when choosing which approach may be suitable for an individual child and family. Detailed strategies for implementing these therapies in infants and young children of different ability levels are given.

Keywords: bimanual therapy; constraint-induced movement therapy; early intervention; unilateral cerebral palsy; upper limb.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39598017/

Stacey L Cleary, Prue E Morgan, Margaret Wallen, Ingrid Honan, Nora Shields, Freya E Munzel, James R Plummer, Cassandra Assaad, Petra Karlsson, Evelyn Culnane, Jacqueline Y Ding, Carlee Holmes, Iain M Dutia, Dinah S Reddihough, Christine Imms

• PMID: 39673293
• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.16196

Abstract

Aim: To synthesize the experiences of 15- to 34-year-olds with cerebral palsy (CP) as they participate in key life situations of young adulthood.

Method: A mixed-methods scoping review was undertaken and six electronic databases searched (January 2001 to August 2023). Participation foci and thematic outcomes were mapped to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Results were integrated using a convergent integrated analysis framework, and data analysis completed through thematic synthesis. Themes were mapped to the family of Participation-Related Constructs.

Results: Thirty-eight publications (32 studies; 2759 participants) were included. More participants were male (n = 1435), walked independently (n = 1319), and lived with their families (n = 1171). 'Claiming my adulthood and "doing" life' was the unifying descriptor of participation, conveying the effortful work young people felt necessary to take their places in the adult world. The physical accessibility of the environment was a significant barrier to participation, as were people's negative attitudes or misconceptions about disability. A close-knit 'circle of support', typically family members, formed a supportive foundation during this period.

Interpretation: Young people with CP aim to participate fully in adult life, alongside their peers. Improved community accessibility, inclusion, and more supportive health environments would ensure they could live the lives they choose.

https://www.mycpguide.org.au/

https://upmovement.org.uk/

Non-invasive Measurement of work of breathing in children and young adults with high level cerebral palsy.

To round off 2024 and as an extra special lead-in to a stellar 2025 ahead, we have a holiday special - all about the EACD & IAACD 2025 Conference to be held in Heidelberg Germany! 🇩🇪

It's going to be a very unique conference this year as a combined EACD/IAACD event - so join with Dr Sebastian Schroeder and Dr Rainer Blank as they speak with our very own Dr Dayna Pool!

From a behind the scenes look, to what you can expect from the conference this year, the pre-conference sessions at the breathtaking UNESCO Monastery Maulbronn (FREE shuttles included in the conference registration!), be sure to join us for a brilliant conversation with some of Germany's very finest!

Also - are you curious about what a German Christmas looked like? Or what handy german phrases you should be working on before arriving, we've got you covered! 😉

You'll find the audiocast on all good podcast platforms and there's also the videocast on our YouTube channel, if you'd like to put a face to the voice!

youtube.com/@researchworkspodcast

researchworks.net

The ResearchWorks crew will be back again in early 2025 for Season 5 of the pod, with more long form interviews with incredible researchers from across the globe!

incredible!

The team at the ResearchWorks Podcast are celebrating 200 episodes! With over 4 seasons, invited collaborators with the EACD - European Academy of Childhood-onset Disabilities Conference and the AusACPDM - the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and Transformative Practice Award Winners for 2024, it has been a stellar journey. 🚀

Join us for a brilliant wrap up for Season 4 - we have some special standalone episodes coming and in 2025, we'll be back on tour again, this time supporting the incredible 2025 EACD/IAACD conference in Heidelberg Germany - so we'll see you there! 🇩🇪✈️

2025 will also see a very very special announcement, taking ResearchWorks beyond the podcast platform and further supporting clinicians and researchers to be empowered and up skilled across the globe! We're very excited for the future! 

We'll talk with you all soon! 

An incredible episode with Director of Research - Professor Ben Jackson from The Kids Research Institute Australia - a masterful lesson in communication skills.

Our role as clinicians involves a whole lot of communication and there are evidence based approaches for how we communicate. This is so important because whilst communication skills are often referred to as 'soft skills', they are the key to understanding people. 

In this week's episode, expect to learn about the role of the Self Determination Theory in motivational regulation, how motivational interviewing can move us along the continuum from from have to, to want to, to love to, if SMART goals the only way to set goals. how to bring people along the journey through some key negotiation skills and why the word "yet" is so powerful.

Motor optimality score-revised (mos-r) and hammersmith infant neurological examination (hine) predict high likelihood of autism at 12 months corrected age in a developmentally vulnerable infant cohort.

Dr Carly Luke is a Physiotherapist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, the University of Queensland. Her work across clinical and research settings is focused on delivering care to infants with an increased likelihood of cerebral palsy and other adverse neurodevelopmental and neurodiverse outcomes.

She has a strong interest in training and capacity building and has supported the implementation of the CP early detection guidelines across QLD and in low-resource countries as a HINE trainer.  Ms Luke has demonstrated leadership in advocating for change to the model of care and neonatal follow-up for 'high risk' infants in North QLD and continues to support pathways across the state. Her PhD and postdoctoral studies focus on implementing early screening programs for developmentally vulnerable infants across First Nations, regional rural and remote contexts.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of a performance-focused swimming programme on motor function in previously untrained adolescents with cerebral palsy and high support needs (CPHSN) and to determine whether the motor decline typical of adolescents with CPHSN occurred in these swimmers.

Methods: A Multiple-Baseline, Single-Case Experimental Design (MB-SCED) study comprising five phases and a 30-month follow-up was conducted. Participants were two males and one female, all aged 15 years, untrained and with CPHSN. The intervention was a 46-month swimming training programme, focused exclusively on improving performance. Outcomes were swim performance (velocity); training load (rating of perceived exertion min/week; swim distance/week) and Gross Motor Function Measure-66-Item Set (GMFM-66). MB-SCED data were analysed using interrupted time-series simulation analysis. Motor function over 46 months was modelled (generalised additive model) using GMFM-66 scores and compared with a model of predicted motor decline.

Results: Improvements in GMFM-66 scores in response to training were significant (p<0.001), and two periods of training withdrawal each resulted in significant motor decline (p≤0.001). Participant motor function remained above baseline levels for the study duration, and, importantly, participants did not experience the motor decline typical of other adolescents with CPHSN. Weekly training volumes were also commensurate with WHO recommended physical activity levels.

Conclusions: Results suggest that adolescents with CPHSN who meet physical activity guidelines through participation in competitive swimming may prevent motor decline. However, this population is clinically complex, and in order to permit safe, effective participation in competitive sport, priority should be placed on the development of programmes delivered by skilled multiprofessional teams.

Effectiveness of postural interventions in cerebral palsy: umbrella systematic review.

Monica Toohey , Remy Blatch-Williams , Kristian Budini , Astrid Ferreira , Alexandra Griffin , Ashleigh Hines , Michelle Jackman , Karin Lind , Jill Massey , Maria Mc Namara , Jenna Mitchell , Catherine Morgan , Esther Norfolk , Madison CB. Paton , Daniel Polyblank , Sarah Reedman , Iona Novak


Discussion

The objective of this umbrella systematic review was to summarize and evaluate the evidence for postural management interventions in cerebral palsy published since Gough's 2009 paper. We have expanded the scope of the review from passive continuous postural management to include active postural control interventions. Many interventions show positive effects on postural outcomes including range of motion, spasticity, pain, hip migration, gross motor function, hand function, gait parameters,

Conclusion

In conclusion, our umbrella systematic review evaluated the evidence for postural control and postural management interventions in CP, since Gough's seminal 2009 paper. Despite numerous interventions showing positive effects on various postural outcomes, such as range of motion, spasticity, and gross motor function, the overall quality of evidence remains low to very low, limiting the certainty of conclusions and recommendations. The lack of certainty and population heterogeneity poses

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1751722224000805

Ewan is the director of Malaria Risk Stratification at the Kids Research Institute Australia. 

With over a decade of international research experience spanning the fields of astronomy, statistics, machine learning and epidemiology, Dr Ewan Cameron returned to Australia in February 2020 as an Associate Professor at Curtin University and Honorary Research Associate at The Kids Research Institute Australia. 

Within the Malaria Atlas Project, he leads a team responsible for the innovation of novel approaches to probabilistic disease mapping, with a focus on bespoke model development for sub-national risk stratification.

https://www.researchworks.net

Assessing functioning of children on the autism spectrum is necessary to determine the level of support they require to participate in everyday activities across contexts. 

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a comprehensive biopsychosocial framework recommended for classifying health-related functioning in a holistic manner, across the components of body functions, activities and participation, and environmental factors. 

The ICF Core Sets (ICF-CSs) are sub-sets of relevant codes from the broader framework that provide a basis for developing condition-specific measures. This study combined the ICF-CSs for autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cerebral palsy (CP) to validate the ICF-CSs for autism in an Australian sample of school-aged children. 

This cross-sectional study involved caregivers of school-aged children on the spectrum (n = 70) completing an online survey and being visited in their homes by an occupational therapist to complete the proxy-report measure based on the ICF-CSs for autism, ADHD and CP. Absolute and relative frequencies of ratings for each of the codes included in the measure were calculated and reported, along with the number of participants who required clarification to understand the terminology used. 

Findings indicate that the body functions and activities and participation represented in the ICF-CSs for autism were the most applicable for the sample. However, findings relating to environmental factors were less conclusive. Some codes not currently included in the ICF-CSs for autism may warrant further investigation, and the language used in measures based on the ICF-CSs should be revised to ensure clarity.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38400895/

The pod now has many (thousands!) of new listeners and we decided to bring forward our annual Q and A session with the hosts of the show.

A little more backstory of each host, a look back at why we do what we do, some incredible highlights you might have missed and why the pod is a firm proponent of evidence based practices.

We cover off many topics, including:

Is the podcast a full-time gig? 

What the difference between evidence-based and evidence-informed practice is,

Qualitative research and the rich benefits of it's implementation,

The often overlooked concept of maturation,

The view of pain and discomfort in therapy - the good and the bad, 

Hands-on vs hand-off approach and the top-down and bottom-up philosophies, 

Our scientific stance on manual facilitation techniques and why we have a section on the website that is dedicated to our conversation with the DMI (Dynamic Movement Intervention) founder(s).

It's about why research both matters and why ResearchWorks! 😉


We still plan on bringing you some incredible interviews with amazing researchers over the last 7 episodes of the year, culminating in our historic 200th episode milestone, so be sure to stayed tuned! 

LEAP-CP stands for Learning through Everyday Activities with Parents, an early detection and intervention program that adapts the international clinical practice guideline for early detection and intervention in CP for low and middle income countries. 

In this paper, LEAP-CP was tested in an RCT with Asha Bhavan Centre in India from 2019 to 2019 and has continued implementation since 2021. This study aimed to determine the acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, penetration, retention and fidelity of LEAP CP at the Asha Bhavan Centre in India.

Golam Moula is the Research Project Coordinator, working in the field of rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy at a national level Indian Organisation - Asha Bhavan Centre. 

He manages the LEAP CP, a randomised controlled trial of Early Intervention for infants with cerebral palsy in collaboration with the University of Queensland and is managing the ongoing implementation of the LEAP CP Program. 

Power mobility experience, meaning and outcomes for children with complex non-ambulant cerebral palsy: A scoping review

The Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy and bridging the gap: co-designing a decision aid for informed decision making.

HABIT-ILE Australia: Randomised trial of Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training Including Lower Extremity for Children  with bilateral cerebral palsy

A not to be missed episode! This is the extended interview with Hannah Diviney that was the stunning opening keynote to AusACPDM 2024!

Don't be fooled by the music... we continued having a chat with Hannah for another 20 minutes and it was so good, we decided to add it to the episode listing as a full fledged interview!

52 minutes of pure joy - Hannah is a wonderful communicator, role model and advocate and it is the personal stories, the lived experience perspective that makes these kinds of interviews so powerful.

If you were at AusACPDM 2024, check out the post credits extras and you'll also get the full "Ice Breaker" treatment at the beginning that was also cut from the keynote (for brevity)!

Enjoy listening!

A special post-conference interview with AusACPDM 2024 Presidential Guest Lecture Panelist Carol Shrader.

It's our final episode from the AusACPDM Conference for 2024, held in Cairns, North Queensland!

Join us for a look back at another incredible conference and some of our highlights for the week and what we are looking forward to in the future!

Also, fittingly during the Olympics games, Dayna and Ash won an award!

The very prestigious Transformative Practice Award -  given to clinicians who encourage evidence-based practice and translate research into practice! 🏆

*Producer Ed is very proud of them both - he writes these little blurbs, so it's not the hosts tooting their own horn!* 😉

Final keynote Lecture: Moving to learn, learning to move: How play, exploration and cognition intertwine in paediatric rehabilitation.

Recorded live at AusACPDM from the main exhibition hall - the pod is a little noisier than the regular episodes but it does make it feel like you're right here with us in Cairns North Queensland! 😉

Functional mobility matters

Embedding motor learning interventions using 
dynamic robotic technology.

Playground Accessibility - the Participate app:

Co-designing a mobile application to improve participation opportunities for children with neurodisabilities.

Alicia Spittle Keynote (Dinah Reddihough Oration).

Recorded live at AusACPDM from the main exhibition hall - the pod is a little noisier than the regular episodes but it does make it feel like you're right here with us in Cairns North Queensland! 😉

Free Paper, Measure and Outcomes. 

A core outcome set of chronic pain assessment tools for young people with cerebral palsy: consensus from key stakeholders.

Recorded live at AusACPDM from the main exhibition hall - the pod is a little noisier than the regular episodes but it does make it feel like you're right here with us in Cairns North Queensland! 😉

Why do families not participate in free parent education programs? a cross sectional population based study of preschoolers

What are health professional's responsibilities? A candid discussion about setting a new standard.

Recorded live at AusACPDM from the main exhibition hall - the pod is a little noisier than the regular episodes but it does make it feel like you're right here with us in Cairns North Queensland! 😉

PhD Paper

The Circus Project: code signing a circus based intervention to enhance physical activity participation for preschool aged children born preterm.

Recorded live at AusACPDM from the main exhibition hall - the pod is a little noisier than the regular episodes but it does make it feel like you're right here with us in Cairns North Queensland! 😉

Cerebral palsy in low and middle income countries: situation analysis, rehabilitation status, livelihood-based intervention and social business model.

Recorded live at AusACPDM from the main exhibition hall - the pod is a little noisier than the regular episodes but it does make it feel like you're right here with us in Cairns North Queensland! 😉