The Research Works podcast is designed for health professionals in the area of child health, where we discuss emerging, modern, evidence based research - the behind the scenes stories, interviews with world renowned authors and researchers, material that never made the papers and a breakdown on how you can implement this into your clinical practice.
Dr Dayna Pool and Dr Ashleigh Thornton
NB. Moderate post processing was applied to this recording due to the higher than usual ambient noise in the conference hall.Differences in Bone Mineral Density Response to Bisphosphonate Treatment by Stage in Puberty in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Mirror Movement and Neuroplastic Re-organization of Motor Cortical Lateralization in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy.
NB. Moderate post processing was applied to this episodes recording due to higher than usual ambient noise.Home & Community Walking Activity: Power Training with Interval Treadmill Training (PT3) and Short-Burst Interval Treadmill Training in Cerebral Palsy: Parent Reported Outcomes
Characteristics and epidemiology of children and adults with cerebral palsy in Latin America.
Frame Running Training For Youth with Cerebral Palsy and Similar Neurodisabilities: A Multicentre Randomized, Waitlist Controlled Trial of Fitness, Fatigue and Mobility Outcomes.Gayle G. Arnold Award Finalist
NB. Moderate noise reduction and post processing was used due to ambient noise in the corridor next to the podcast booth.Back to the Future: Celebrating 80 Years of Science at AACPDM and Envisioning an Even Brighter FutureDiane is a recently retired tenured Senior Investigator at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She is internationally recognized for her research which focuses muscle strengthening and on the design of device-augmented interventions to promote activity, mobility and neuroplasticity in infants and children with cerebral palsy, including a pediatric strengthening exoskeleton and a smart harness to promote infant mobility. Diane pioneered the use of mobile brain imaging technologies to evaluate cortical activity during functional motor tasks and for neurofeedback training. She has over 175 peer-reviewed publications and was an Associate Editor of Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. Diane is a Past President of the Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society and the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) - the first physical therapist to serve in that role. She is a co-founder of the International Alliance of the Academies of Childhood Disabilities, an international effort to support the scientific education of multidisciplinary health professionals caring for children with CP and their families. She has received multiple awards, including the 2024 Mentorship award from the AACPDM and the 2025 Lifetime Achievement award from the Cerebral Palsy Foundation
Dr Adam Kirton: From thought to function with non-invasive brain computer interface.What are the possibilities of turning a thought into something that is actionable? For children with CP that have significant motor impairments, access to the environment can be incredibly challenging. Dr Kirton came onto the pod to talk about his education session and free paper titled "Achievement of Personalized, Previously Impossible Goals by Children with Severe Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy Using Brain-Computer Interface."Join us as we explore this novel intervention, understand how it works and what the possibilities are right now.
NB. Post processing was applied to this episode due to medium levels of ambient noise.Dr Hank Chambers: Mentorship Award and reflecting on the evolution of AACPDMThe role of mentors can not be overstated - this is how we learn, sharpen our skills and become better at what we do for the sake of the young people that we have the privilege of working with.Dr Chambers was awarded the Mentorship Award at AACPDM and for good reason. His long history of advocacy and well as his investment into AACPDM and into the careers of many clinicians and research is a testament to his generosity and outstanding career.
Asst Prof Eric Chin: Interference pain in adults with CPAs an award finalist for 3 different categories (Promising Career Award Finalist; Southern Family Cerebral Palsy Center Best Adult Paper Award Finalist; Complex Care Early Career Award Finalist), this work is clearly important for the field.Dr Chin joins us to discuss his paper titled "Multidimensional Impacts of Chronic Pain and Associated Risk Factors in Self- reporting Adults with Cerebral Palsy: A Community Registry Study."It is fantastic to see the work that is being done now in adults with CP.
Dr David Frumberg - Gynecologic preventive care in women with CP.Do women with cerebral palsy receive preventative gynecologic care?In short - they receive substantially less! The bottom line here is that barriers to preventative care for women with cerebral palsy needs to be better understood and that vital steps are taken to eliminate this disparity.
Dr Laura Prosser and Dr Ellen Sutter: Dynamic Body Weight SupportThe availability of innovative technologies truly makes this such an exciting time for our practice and research. Dynamic body weight support provides the opportunity for ON time mobility and communication and the evidence is truly exciting.Dr Prosser and Dr Sutter joined us on the pod to talk about their education session titled "Supporting Mobility and Development: Evidence-Based Use of Body-Weight Support Harness Systems in Children with Motor Impairments."Be sure to tune in as they share new research data and the exciting developments in our field.
Dr Nicole Enlow: Mental health diagnoses in youth with CPAn important conversation and topic that needs much needed research. Dr Enlow joins us on the pod to talk about. her paper "Understanding Mental Health Diagnosis Rates and Referral Practices for Youth With Cerebral Palsy." This conversation highlights an area of emerging research on a critical topic that is of high importance for our young people with cerebral palsy.
Prof Iona Novak: The latest in the early intervention traffic lightsThere has been an explosion of research over the past decade - what a wonderful time to be in the field! Prof Novak came on the pod to talk about her presentation titled "Closing the Evidence–Practice Gap: State-of-the-Art Knowledge Translation to Transform Early Intervention Training"What has changed since the last traffic light publications and what do we now know? Tune in to hear this year's Lifetime Achievement Award winner for AACPDM 2026!
NB. Aggressive levels of noise reduction was applied to this recording due to ambient noise outside of our control. Susan Duff and Dr Chet Moritz: Can Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Benefit Children with CP or SCI?What is the current state of the evidence for transcutaneous spincal cord stimulation? Who can it be used for? What is currently approved for use and what are some of the outcomes reported?If you're asking these questions - then this episode is for you!Recorded LIVE at AACPDM 2026 Philadelphia
Dr Cristina Sarmiento: The Lived Experience of Primary and Preventive Care for Adults with Cerebral PalsyGayle G. Arnold Award Finalist; Promising Career Award Finalist; Southern Family Cerebral Palsy Center Best Adult Paper Award FinalistRecorded LIVE at AACPDM 2026 Philadelphia
Dr Julie Feuerstein and Dr Jennifer Tucker: Play can't wait - ON Time Mobility and CommunicationRecorded LIVE at AACPDM 2026 Philadelphia
Dr Jason Howard and Dr Christina Herrero: Orthopedic Aspects of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophyhighlight the changing paradigm of orthopedic treatments for musculoskeletal manifestations associated with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), considering the impact of newer therapies.Recorded LIVE at AACPDM 2026 Philadelphia
Dr Bhooma R. Aravamuthan: Characteristics of People with Cerebral Palsy Across the United StatesSouthern Family Cerebral Palsy Center Best Adult Paper Award Finalist.Recorded LIVE at AACPDM 2026 Philadelphia
Dr Richard Stevenson: Nutrition and growth in CPDr Richard Stevenson kicked off the conference with his impressive and thought provoking Presidential Lecture titled "Growth of Children with CP and Health Outcomes: CP Growth Charts and Beyond." Nutrition is an important topic for children and young people with CP. Right now, we know that children with CP grow differently than their peersand whilst no single measure is an adequate indicator of nutritional status, CP growth charts can help.Be sure to add this to your download list to hear from Dr Stevenson and his insights and research in this area. Recorded LIVE at AACPDM 2026 Philadelphia
Dr Heather Feldner: ON Time mobility and why it mattersON Time represents an important paradigm shift from "early" to "on-time," recognising a rights based framework that emphasises autonomy through the power of self-initiated movement.This discussion is a must listen as Dr Feldner shares fascinating data that will influence "early" intervention practices for children with motor disabilities.Recorded LIVE at AACPDM 2026 Philadelphia
Dr Hsiu-Ching Chiu PhD: Mobility reference values in preschool children.Dr Hsiu-Chin Chiu shared her team's work on "Reference Values for Mobility in Typically Developing Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Study". With nearly 750 participants aged between 3 and 5 years, Dr Chiu has been able to develop reference values for some key mobility tests including the 10mWT, Stairs Test, 3 Minute Walk and Timed Sit to Stand Test. Fantastic work that will support our practice through the power of data driven reference values serving to enhance our screening practices.Recorded LIVE at AACPDM 2026 Philadelphia
Dr Max Kurz, PhD: Can we identify responders and non-responders to Gait Training?Well this is quite the question to pose - we don't know very much about the features that help us to identify children that are more likely to respond to interventions versus those that are less likely.Dr Kurz joined us on the pod to talk about his presentation "Differentiating the Cortical Dynamics of Persons with Cerebral Palsy Categorized as Clinical Responders and Non-responders to Gait Training."There is so much in this conversation that will get you thinking!Recorded LIVE at AACPDM 2026 Philadelphia
Meaghan Rubsam: What makes physical therapy intensive?How do we define "intensive" therapy? What makes therapy intensive? Is it just about the time that is spent in therapy?Short answer - no. Time is part of it but there is so much more to consider!Meaghan Rubsam joined us on the pod at AACPDM to talk us through this topic. A great exploration of the concept of "intensive" or episodic care. Be sure to tune in!Recorded LIVE at AACPDM 2026 Philadelphia
Gayle G. Arnold Award FinalistPhenotype-Specific Movement Signatures in Early Infancy Differentiate Spastic and Dyskinetic Cerebral PalsyRecorded LIVE at AACPDM 2026 Philadelphia
Gayle G. Arnold Award FinalistSpecificity of Training Effects of a Power-Based Training Program on Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle Architecture and Performance in Youth with Cerebral Palsy.Dr Noelle Moreau is Professor of Physical Therapy and Associate Dean of Research at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans. Dr Moreau was the Gayle G. Arnold Award winner in 2025 and is also a finalist for the Gayle G Arnold award for 2026. Presentation: Specificity of Training Effects of a Power-Based Training Program on Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle Architecture and Performance in Youth with Cerebral Palsy.Recorded LIVE at AACPDM 2026 Philadelphia
Carol Shrader: Authentic lived experience engagement and the CPChecklistCarol Shrader is the Cerebral Palsy Program Coordinator at Nemours Children's Hospital. On the pod, Carol speaks passionately about the importance and value of including the voice of people with lived experience within our practice, the significance of knowledge translation and her view of future research priorities. Carol also talks us through her education session with Umni Narayanan and Laurie Glader on the Caregiver Priorities – Comorbidities and Health Evaluation Checklist (CPCHECKlist) - a parent-reported tool that captures 25 comorbidities and 13 health technologies for children and young people with severe CP and CP-like conditions.Recorded LIVE at AACPDM 2026 Philadelphia
Keynote Speaker, Benjamin Shrader, is an advocate, film critic, public speaker and ramen enthusiast who lives with cerebral palsy. He is Vice Chair of the Delaware State Council for Persons with Disabilities and sits on the planning committee for the Delaware LIFE Conference, the largest disability conference in the state. Benjamin joined us on the pod today to talk about his Keynote session at AACPDM and shares important messages not only for clinicians working with children but also how to support adults living with cerebral palsy. His voice is incredibly important and his call to action is one that we should all hear. Recorded LIVE at AACPDM 2026 Philadelphia
Reflections on participation in the community, as self-reported by young people with cerebral palsyJacinta Quartermaine, T A Rose, Megan Auld, Leanne JohnstonAbstractBackground and objective: This study focused on the community-based participation experiences of young people with cerebral palsy (CP), investigating the factors that make participation easier or harder.Methods: Accessible methods were utilized to explore the perspectives of 15 young people with CP aged 15 to 26 years with diverse motor and communication abilities (Gross Motor Function Classification System I = 4, II = 6, III = 1, IV = 3, V = 1, Viking Speech Scale I = 7, II = 4, III = 3, IV = 1). Participants provided regular written reflections, photographs, or videos about their community-based participation. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results: Self-reported reflections were grouped inductively into 421 codes, then 22 subthemes and 6 themes: (i) My CP characteristics can make participation in the community more difficult; (ii) My own thoughts, emotions, confidence, and sense of achievement influence the things I do in the community; (iii) Accessibility of the environment and availability of equipment influences my participation in the community; (iv) The range of supports I have available influences my participation in the community; (v) Whether the community activity has been adjusted to include and involve me influences my participation; and (vi) The attitudes, actions, and level of acceptance from others in the community influences my participation.Discussion: Key factors influencing community-based participation for young people included CP characteristics, thoughts, emotions, confidence, environment, equipment, supports, accommodations, attitudes, actions, and acceptance.Keywords: Cerebral palsy; community; participation; qualitative thematic analysis; young people.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42143034/
From evidence to practice: factors influencing the implementation of cord blood treatment for cerebral palsy in the United StatesMadison C B Paton, Joanne Kurtzberg, Jessica Sun, Sarah Reedman, Remy Blatch-Williams, Michael Fahey, Iona Novak, Megan Finch-EdmondsonAbstractBackground and aims: Cord blood infusion is an emerging treatment for cerebral palsy (CP) currently offered in the United States through clinical trials and an expanded access pathway. This study aimed to understand the barriers and facilitators influencing implementation of cord blood treatment for CP, to help inform future implementation efforts.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with US professionals involved in the cord blood treatment program for CP at Duke University and a collaborator site. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results: From 16 interviews, 5 themes were identified capturing patterned barriers and enablers. Key facilitators included boundary-spanning clinical leadership, interprofessional coordination, dedicated resourcing, responsiveness to community demand, an established safety profile, and a strong research culture. Barriers included the need for cross-disciplinary expertise, uncertainty regarding efficacy evidence, funding and regulatory constraints, and system-level challenges. Participants described that many barriers were overcome to establish the program, while acknowledging that others may persist and are context dependent.Conclusions: Findings highlight that implementation of cord blood treatment for CP is feasible within specialized settings but contingent on local infrastructure, governance, and workforce capacity. Identified facilitators align with established implementation strategies and offer transferable insights, while underscoring the need for regulatory approval, ethical oversight, and system-level supports to enable equitable and sustainable access to emerging regenerative therapies for CP.Keywords: barriers; cerebral palsy; cord blood; facilitators; implementation.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42571975/
Muscle morphology and intramuscular fat after treatment as usual including BonTA in children with cerebral palsy - a commentary and some context.Associate Professor Sian WilliamsDecreased muscle size (muscle atrophy) and fat infiltration have been believed to be two important muscle changes during the growth of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Muscle atrophy has been well demonstrated in short-term studies in the calf muscle (medial gastrocnemius; MG) in children with CP. However, intramuscular fat infiltration has been less studied, mainly because it has been difficult to measure accurately. Therefore, there is a need for long-term follow-up of muscle alteration, including both muscle structure and composition, in children with CP using a technique that can provide reliable, quantitative, and specific measurement.In this study, we used different MRI techniques to evaluate muscle composition including intramuscular fat content changes after a 12-month treatment-as-usual (TAU), starting with the first botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) injection, in children with CP and typically developing peers. All children with CP received at least one injection into the MG. We measured muscle volume, fascicle length, pennation angle, and intramuscular fat fraction of four lower leg muscles, including both muscles that point the foot downward (plantarflexors) and upward (dorsiflexors).We found that the muscle volume (when adjusted for body size) of all evaluated muscles was not changed after the 12-month TAU in children with CP. Similar results were observed for muscle structure at the fascicle level, including fascicle length and pennation angle. However, the amount of fat within the muscle increased in the MG at the 12-month follow-up.After a 12-month TAU which involves BoNT-A injection, there was no clear evidence of ingoing muscle atrophy in the lower-leg muscles, including both plantarflexors and dorsiflexors. However, we found increased infiltration of intramuscular fat in the injected muscle (MG), suggesting changes in muscle composition despite stable muscle size.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42501405/
Gross Motor Function Measure 66 Item Sets for use with infants and toddlers at high risk for cerebral palsy: construct validity and responsiveness.Natalie A Koziol, Christiana D Butera, Lin-Ya Hsu, Silvana Alves Pereira, Stacey C DusingFunded by AACPDM - Professor Dusing appears on the podcast thanks to the generosity of the AACPDM.AbstractAim: To evaluate the construct validity and responsiveness of the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 Item Set (GMFM-66-IS), a standardized criterion-referenced observational measure, for use with children younger than 24 months with or at high risk for cerebral palsy (CP).Method: Non-experimental integrative data analysis was performed on secondary data from three clinical trials involving children with or at high risk for CP (n = 79, 42 males, mean corrected age = 11.3 months [SD = 4.9]), and one observational study of typically developing children (n = 32, 14 males, mean age = 5.7 months [SD = 0.8]). The GMFM-66-IS and comparator instrument (gross motor subtest from the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition [Bayley-III] or Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Fourth Edition [Bayley-4], depending on the study) were administered at baseline and 3 months later. Comparator groups were based on neurological impairment, clinical rating of gross motor change, and CP status. Correlations (r) and regression-adjusted standardized mean differences (Hedges' g) were computed.Results: GMFM-66-IS and Bayley scores were correlated at baseline (r = 0.83), 3 months later (r = 0.88), and across time (r = 0.83). Children with mild impairment had higher mean GMFM-66-IS scores at baseline (g = 0.87) and 3 months later (g = 0.95). Children rated as demonstrating greater than expected gross motor change had larger mean GMFM-66-IS change scores than children demonstrating less than expected change (g = 0.62). Typically developing children had larger mean GMFM-66-IS change scores (g = 1.00).Interpretation: GMFM-66-IS scores were supported by evidence of strong construct validity and moderate responsivenesshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39951388/
Profiling the oral language and psychosocial skills of young people attending Flexible Learning Programs.Dr Emily Jacksonhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41432037/
Swimming for Children with disability: experiences of rehabilitation and swimming professionals in Australia.Karen Graham, Katarina Ostojic, Leanne Johnston ,Iain Dutia, Elizabeth Barnes-Keoghan and Georgina L. ClutterbuckAbstractBackgroundSwimming is a common goal for children with disability, and the most popular sport for children in Australia. This study explored swimming and rehabilitation professionals' perceptions of swimming for Australian children with disability.MethodsRehabilitation and swimming professionals with recent experience working with children with disability completed an online survey.Quantitative data: Binary and Likert-scale questions were analysed descriptively.Qualitative data: Open-ended questions were evaluated using reflexive thematic analysis and mapped to the family of Participation-Related Constructs (fPRC).Results91 swimming professionals and 55 rehabilitation professionals ($n = 146$) responded.Confidence vs. Knowledge:Most were confident supporting children with disability with swimming goals (rehabilitation = 71.6%, swimming = 73.8%).Most had neutral to very low knowledge of para-swimming eligibility and classification (rehabilitation = 75%, swimming = 77.7%).Themes Identified: 10 themes (33 code groups) covering all core elements of the fPRC were identified.Barriers & Facilitators: Included pool accessibility (physical and sensory), program availability, affordability, acceptability (of content and culture), and having accommodating professionals and programs.Program Goals: Professionals believed swimming programs should develop children's confidence, water safety, swimming skills, and fitness.ConclusionRehabilitation and swimming professionals should review existing programs to ensure they meet the needs of children with disability. Further research is needed to create an action plan to improve swimming participation for Australian children with disability.https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/11/1633
Activating parents in early childhood intervention: a multi-study examination of the PAIR model as an implementation strategy.This study evaluated the PAIR model as a practical tool for implementing family-centred, relational early childhood intervention. Across three linked studies, they found that while brief training improved practitioners' knowledge and confidence, sustained adoption and observable practice change were strongest when training was combined with reflective supervision. The research highlights that organisational barriers, particularly short service blocks and limited time for reflection, remain major constraints. It provides timely evidence on what is required to translate relational approaches into consistent, scalable practice that positions parents as primary agents of their child's development.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1034912X.2026.2651694
Well... actually we are over 300 episodes old but it took a while to get the band back together after the European Academy of Childhood-onset Disabilities conference!Join Dayna, Ash and Marissa (and a special guest appearance by Ed - on video no less!)
Enhancing physically active leisure participation for children with cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial.Professor Leanne Sakzewski
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! :)
Developmental regression in childhood - identification, investigation and outcomes.
An evidence-based, standardized, and practical diagnostic framework for cerebral palsy.
Avoid the tyranny of orthodoxy, the F-words, goal setting and real life application.
Helping Children Flourish: Parent-Informed Social Narratives to Support Readiness for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Cerebral Palsy
Health-Related Quality of Life after Guided Growth Treatment for Hip Displacement in Young Children with Cerebral Palsy
The implementation of evidence-based exercise supports (FitSkills) and the impact of young people with disability participating in their communities alongside peer mentors
Building capacity for real world participation.
Neurowashing in Early Intervention: A Review of Neuroscience Rhetoric and an Appraisal Tool.
Optimising the neuroplasticity window: from evidence to early CP intervention
Does multi- level surgery weaken muscles in ambulatory youth with CP?
Non-invasive Measurement of work of breathing in children and young adults with high level cerebral palsy.
Power mobility experience, meaning and outcomes for children with complex non-ambulant cerebral palsy: A scoping review
Why do families not participate in free parent education programs? a cross sectional population based study of preschoolers
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