Research opportunities
Cerebral Palsy is an exciting area of research, science, and clinical practice. Discoveries are being made all the time particularly when it comes to specific areas of living with CP, such as the difference between Level I and V.
The Cerebral Palsy Society regularly gets approached with research opportunities. This page is a place to learn about different studies and the summaries of their results.
- If you are interested in learning more about the studies listed below, please contact the researcher directly.
- If you would like information about CP research in general, please contact Cerebral Palsy Society Researcher and Writer Amy Hogan amy@cpsociety.org.nz.
- Anyone interested in having their research featured on this page should contact Cerebral Palsy Society Researcher and Writer Amy Hogan amy@cpsociety.org.nz. You will be asked to submit an intro of no more than 200 words, a 2-3 minute video or a written document (maximum of 1 x A4 page) explaining your research, and a head and shoulders photo of yourself.
Navigating the SDR journey
Researchers at AUT are interested in hearing how your whānau navigated the SDR journey.
They are conducting a research project talking to whānau (including children) about their journey of accessing, attending and recovering from SDR surgery.
For more information watch the YouTube video below, then contact researcher Lee Dixon:
- Phone 021 0651 202
- Email sdr@aut.ac.nz
Abortion is a Human Right and Health Issue: Disabled People’s Experiences of Abortion Services in Aotearoa New Zealand
This research seeks to understand disabled people’s access to, and experiences of, a wide range of abortion services in Aotearoa New Zealand. The findings from the research will help the government and healthcare providers to address matters of disability rights, and deliver more equitable, inclusive and accessible abortion services in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The findings will also feed into the New Zealand Government’s 5-year review of the Abortion Legislation Act 2020.
Researchers are looking for 20 people to answer a questionnaire.
They will also interview 12 people who answered the questionnaire and showed interest in doing a follow-up interview with one of the researchers.
All participants must be 18 or over and be able to provide informed consent to participate.
They would like to hear from people who have accessed abortion services or have thought about using abortion services since 2020.
The questions will be about your experiences of using or thinking about using:
- abortion services,
- abortion-related mental health support or assessment,
- counselling, and
- contraception services.
Questionnaire Patient Information Sheet
More info
Scientists seek children with Cerebral Palsy for space-like anti-gravity walk
Anti-gravity training, similar to space-like walks, could help children with neurological and physical impairments improve their muscle coordination, strength and mobility.
An anti-gravity study led by Dr Pablo Ortega-Auriol, Research Fellow at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute and Department of Exercise Sciences Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, is hoping to reveal and promote new muscle coordination patterns which could increase the quality of life for children living with cerebral palsy.
Pablo is looking at the coordination between muscles and muscle patterns to identify the primary movements of walking.
He is recruiting children aged from eight to 15 years old with cerebral palsy (GMFCS I, II, or III) to take part.
“It is a big commitment but once that baseline data is established, the plan is to develop a training programme as a rehabilitation tool.”
Learn more on this info sheet.
Anyone interested in participating or who has additional queries about the anti-gravity treadmill study can contact Dr Ortega-Auriol (p.ortegaauriol@auckland.ac.nz) or April Ren (a.ren@auckland.ac.nz).
Click here for an article from Radio New Zealand.
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