Dance as physical activity for youth with CP: how best to deliver it?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Co-production of dance as physical activity for children and young people with Cerebral Palsy aged 5 to 18 years in gross motor function classification system level I-IV: intervention refinement study
IRAS ID
357639
Contact name
Ricarda Tillmann
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
JRMO
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
QME25.0853, QMUL Ethics approval
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 7 days
Research summary
Children and young people with Cerebral Palsy (CYPwCP) are less fit and active which triples their risk to develop non-communicable diseases compared to TD peers [1]. Dance is an enjoyable activity, adaptable to various ability levels, yet evidence is lacking on the impact of dance as a physical activity (PA) for CYPwCP. We aim to refine the protocol for a group dance intervention adapted to CYPwCP`s needs. We further want to incorporate individualised physical activity goals to understand long term physical activity engagement better.
Methods: 30 CYPwCp identified from neuro-orthopaedic clinics at Royal London Hospital (15 CwCP 5-12years and15 YPwCP 13-18years) able to walk with or without equipment can participate. Each will wear an accelerometer for 7 days and during the adaptive-dance classes, have a pre and post-assessment including Participation, quality of life, physical activity, gross motor function balance, muscle ranges. An individualised physical activity goal will be set prior to commencing class.
Each age group (5-12y and 13-18y) will have 10 adaptive-dance classes (60min each) led by a dance teacher following completing the study specific training. OMNI rating of exhaustion (O-10) will be asked during the class. Optional focus groups will be held (week3,6,9) to refine the intervention. Recommendations from those will be discussed with Dance teachers and changes implemented the following session. All meetings will be video, and audio recorded. Week 10 foresees a mini showcase for parents.
Results: Both Quantitative and Qualitative data will be collected and analysed accordingly.
Summary: Refining the intervention enables us to understand how we can enhance long term engagement in physical activity for CYPwCP. Creating appropriate training material for dance teachers ensures the quality of the intervention in different settings can be maintained. The study is funded through Barts Charity. The timeframe will differ depending on when participants have their pre and post assessment ranging from 8 to 4 month total time within the study.REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/WM/0054
Date of REC Opinion
25 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion