research grants program - 2006
The CP Institute has great pleasure in announcing the recipients of the 2006 Research Grant Program. The program, funded by the CP Foundation, is designed to stimulate cerebral palsy research in the epidemiological, behavioural and social sciences.
Innovative Research Grants
Associate Professor Eve Blair - $80,000 over two years
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Western Australia
Analysis of case-control study of CP in term and preterm infants in Western Australia, 1980-1995
- This research aims to identify causal pathways to CP that may lead to prevention. Maternal, antenatal and perinatal data will be compared of children with CP, children without CP and children who died. This is the largest trial of its kind in the world.
Dr Catherine Gibson - $40,000 over two years
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Adelaide, South Australia
Investigating antenatal causes of cerebral palsy
- This research will analyse umbilical cord serum of babies with and without cerebral palsy. Results will help determine the role of viral and bacterial infections and cerebral palsy. If associations are found, this could lead to the prevention of CP in some babies through a vaccination program.
Professor Lex Doyle - $40,000 for one year
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Victoria
Randomised trial of preventative care at home for preterm infants – VIBES PLUS
- This research will trial whether a home based program of physiotherapy and psychology over one year improves the outcomes of babies born more than 10 weeks early.
Allergan Doctoral Research Grant
Margaret Wallen - $100,000 over three years
The Children’s Hospital Westmead, NSW
Modified constraint-induced therapy for children with cerebral palsy: A randomised trial
- This research will compare two occupational therapy interventions for children with hemiplegic CP to identify which intervention improves the function of a child’s arm and hand the most.
Doctoral Research Grant
Carol Maher - $10,000
University of South Australia, South Australia
Using the internet to increase physical activity in teenagers with cerebral palsy – are you kidding?!
- This research will determine whether an e-based program increases physical activity levels in adolescents with CP.
NHMRC Co-funded Doctoral Scholarships
Adrienne Harvey - $13,500
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Victoria
The development, reliability and validity of the Functional Mobility Scale for children with cerebral palsy
This research will validate a new tool (Functional Mobility Scale) that is used to measure functional mobility for children with cerebral palsy before and after intervention.
Christine Imms - $13,500
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Victoria
Diversity of participation in children with cerebral palsy: The middle years
This research aims to follow children with CP through significant life-stage transitions and identify their participation levels in activities outside school.
Emerging Researcher Grant
Megan Thorley - $10,000
Royal Brisbane Hospital, Queensland
Development of an evidence based casting protocol for children with cerebral palsy: A multi-centre randomised controlled trial
- This research will develop an evidence based casting protocol for the arm and hand of children with CP.