The MOBILE study

The MOBILE study is now recruiting for participants through Enable Ireland Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNT). This study is being undertaken by Caitríona O’Shaughnessy as part of her professional doctorate with RCSI.

Caitríona is a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist working in Enable Ireland in Meath and has a keen interest in exploring new therapy options for children with Cerebral Palsy. The MOBILE therapy is an intensive therapy program that targets the learning of motor skills to improve walking related goals that are individualised to each participant.

Children/ young people with CP, who are aged 6 to 17 and who currently can walk (GMFCS levels I-III), that have a walking related goal they would like to target in an intensive block of therapy (30 hours total over 6 weeks) are eligible. Caitríona hopes to include 14 children/ young people across Leinster in this study.

The child/young person must be linked with a CDNT or motor management service that is led by Enable Ireland in Wicklow, Kildare, Dublin, Louth or Meath. They also must have capacity to follow instruction, be motivated to come up with their own goal and have a parent or caregiver who is able to support a home program.

A child or young person will not be eligible if they:

• Have had surgery within 6 months or botox/baclofen within 3 months of therapy start date
• Has a dual diagnosis that impacts ability to follow instruction
• Has a significant cognitive impairment

For more information or to request an information leaflet you can email Caitríona on caitrionaoshaug22@rcsi.ie or contact the study’s gatekeeper, Lorna on 0858782271 to express your interest.