Taking part
This page explains the SPELL Study for people who might be interested in joining.
general information
We have developed a new exercise programme to stretch the leg muscles in children with CP. We have tried to make the exercise programme interesting and fun so that children will be happy to follow it for a long time.
The aim of this study is to assess if a specific exercise programme to stretch the muscles of children with cerebral palsy is better at improving walking and their ability to carry out daily activities, compared to usual physiotherapy treatment.
Participant Information
If you are considering taking part in the SPELL study, please follow the link below to open the SPELL Participant Information Tool. Here you can view the key information needed to decide whether to take part.
Information about the study
Study design
Two-group, pragmatic, superiority, parallel group, multicentre randomised controlled trial with an imbedded internal pilot.
Timescales
Planned trial period is 44 months. Recruitment is expected to last for 20 months.
Intervention
Dynamic stretching exercise programme: Participants receive an individually tailored dynamic stretching programme overseen by a physiotherapist via 6 one-to-one sessions over 16 weeks.
Target population
Children aged 4-11 years with a diagnosis of spastic CP (bilateral or unilateral) (8) GMFCS levels I III who are able to comply with assessment procedures and exercise programme with or without support by their carer.
Outcome measures
Functional mobility at 6 months measured using the patient/parent reported GOAL (Gait Outcomes Assessment List) questionnaire
Study funder and sponsor
The trial is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme. The sponsor is University of Oxford, Research Governance, Ethics & Assurance Team (RGEA).