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Departmental Overview
Kids Rehab WA is a state-wide, integrated tertiary clinical, research, education and training unit. Kids Rehab WA delivers inter-disciplinary services to children and adolescents in Western Australia with acquired or congenital neurological impairments, with links to satellite secondary units throughout the state. We offer research informed and infused services to children and youth with acquired or congenital neurological impairments, to improve functional outcomes, which are unique to this state. Our research areas include the development of screening and early detection tools, validation of new assessments and the development and assessment of new interventions. Kids Rehab WA is also happy to support trainees with college projects. Integral to our research is the involvement of consumers, who are represented by the Kids Rehab WA Consumer Steering group. The group has regular meetings and are an important voice in the planning, implementation and dissemination of the research findings. Along with publication in top ranking academic journals, and presenting at national and international conferences, knowledge translation is achieved through training and education within the department, to the wider hospital and external service providers to ensure all children and youth are given the opportunity to improve functional outcomes, and unlock their potential, with the latest evidence based medicine and services
Current Research Projects
Early Intervention research
A number of multi-site projects are currently underway and actively recruiting in the area of early intervention for young children and infants who have, or are at risk of developing, cerebral palsy.
Clinical program specific research
Nested within the different clinical programs are a range of research projects including assessment of long term outcomes of botulinum toxin use in children with cerebral palsy, and outcomes for children with acquired brain injury, among others.
Participate CP
The Participate CP project explores the effect of 12 weeks of individualised home therapy, focusing on goals identified by the child, on participation in physical activity goals. Recruitment for this project has started and the first participants are currently receiving therapy.
Discovering the Sense of Touch
The Sense project is interested in understanding the effect of 6 weeks of intensive sensation training on functional sensation for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. This randomised controlled trial is actively recruiting.
Early Moves
Looking to identify very early biomarkers for cognitive impairment, the study will see 3000 babies recruited through the large scale ORIGINS project (Joondalup Health Campus/Telethon Kids Institute), with assessments including the General Movements assessments and Bayley Scales of Toddler and Infant development.