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.

Flourishing Together – Including Tāngata Whaikaha Māori and Disabled People in Policy Development

You are invited to take part in a research study asking disabled people about the things that make it easier or harder for them to find a home that works well for them and their families. 

What is the research about?
The overall aim of the research is to explore ways to better include the voices and experiences of disabled people in health-related policy within NZ.  

We are developing methods and tools that allow disabled people to share their experiences and expertise in meaningful ways. 
To develop these methods, we are exploring one policy area – what makes it easier or harder for disabled people to have choices and be in control when accessing a home that works best for them and their families?
You can find more information (including a video) on the project website: www.flourishingtogether.co.nz

Who can take part?
You can participate if:

  • You self-identify as a disabled person
  • Or you are a family or whānau of a disabled person
  • You are at least 16 years of age
  • You live in Aotearoa, NZ
  • Other terms for ‘disabled people’ that you may be more familiar or comfortable with include ‘person living with a disability’, ‘tāngata whaikaha Māori’ or ‘whānau hauā’.
  • Some people prefer to say they have an impairment, or live with the ongoing impacts of an injury or illness. 
  • You can take part if you have experienced disability since birth, or due to illness or injury later in life.

You can read the Research Invitation here
Start filling out the survey here
Alternatively, you can find more information, including contact details, on the project website.

You do NOT need to answer all the questions in the survey. Rather, the researchers are inviting participants to share their thoughts on two to three questions that are most relevant to them.
You can also access the survey for up to one month – allowing you to gradually add to your response over time.

More information

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.

You can find out more by watching their information video. 

For more information contact researcher Lee Dixon:

Information video

Young children with Hokai Nukurangi – Cerebral Palsy, does Physiotherapy intervention match whānau expectation: A National Survey

Primary Researcher Teresa Simonsen, a 4th year Physiotherapy Honours student studying at Te Pukenga Wintec, is looking to determine if physiotherapy intervention provided to children with a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy (CP) matches the needs and expectations of their whānau who care for them.

“I hope that the study could inform and where needed improve the delivery of physiotherapy intervention in Aotearoa New Zealand. Listening and communicating with whānau is important to identify areas of strength and to make improvements in the delivery of healthcare services.”

Eligibility:

  • Parent or primary caregiver of child with a diagnosis of CP 
  • Aged between 3 and 18
  • Living within Aotearoa New Zealand
  • Receiving or has received Physiotherapy intervention.

Participation information sheet

Survey Link

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.”

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.

More info

Experiences of young people with disabilities and their families/caregivers on supported family centered care and play in therapy

Lizz Carrington is a PhD candidate at the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Otago. Lizz is conducting research to understand what young people with disabilities and their caregivers think about the rehabilitation/health services they receive.

This study would especially like to explore thoughts and experiences of:
· Outcomes that are important to your family
· Being involved in therapy decisions
· How play is used in therapy

This study is part of a larger research programme which is building a foundation of knowledge from which to create a supported family centred play-based intervention for young people with disabilities.

We are inviting young people with disabilities (aged 21 years or under) that have received or sought child development services in New Zealand in the past 10 years AND/OR their caregivers to take part.

Participants will be required to commit to an interview of approximately 60 minutes duration either in-person or via Zoom, you decide. Participants will receive a $50 grocery voucher for their time.

To find out more or register your interest please contact Lizz at lizz.carrington@otago.ac.nz or you can enter your contact details below and Lizz will be in touch to provide more information and arrange a time to talk.

Enter your contact details

Parental Understandings of Sleep Problems in Children with Long-Term Health Conditions

Kia ora,

My name is Kylie, and I am a Master of Science (Child and Family Psychology) student at the University of Canterbury, NZ, and a mother of two children with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease.

I am working with a team of researchers and medical professionals, including Professor Laurie McLay, to explore parents’ understanding of sleep problems in children with long-term physical health conditions such as Cerebral Palsy.

We are currently seeking parents of children who have a long-term health condition (i.e., an ongoing or recurring [> 3 months] physical health condition such as cystic fibrosis, cancer, asthma, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorder) and any type of sleep problem (e.g., difficulty falling asleep, night wakings, daytime sleepiness, sleep apnea). If this is you, and you did not complete the survey last year, we would appreciate you completing this 10-15 minute survey

The survey can be accessed following this link:

https://canterbury.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3QLdQXB0SIGxVb0

All responses to this survey are anonymous and do not require you to include any identifying information. This research has been approved by the University of Canterbury Human Ethics Committee. If you have any questions, or would like further information, please contact:

Laurie McLay (PhD)
Te Kaupeka Oranga – Faculty of Health University of Canterbury
Phone: (03) 3693522
Email: laurie.mclay@canerbury.ac.nz

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