Clinical trial NCT06983782: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial of an Online Exercise Programme for Adults With Cerebral Palsy
Official title: CP-EXCEL: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial of an Online Exercise Programme for Adults With Cerebral Palsy
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Cerebral Palsy
Exercise
Adults
Fitness
Keywords: Adults with cerebral palsy
Online exercise programme
physiotherapy
Lead sponsor: Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-05-21
Enrollment: 60
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) often face challenges in accessing exercise programmes that are appropriate for their needs. Barriers such as limited mobility, a lack of tailored options, and restricted access to physiotherapy services can make participation difficult. Exercise is important for improving physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. However, many adults with CP do not have regular opportunities to take part in structured physical activity. This study aims to investigate whether an online exercise programme can serve as an effective and accessible alternative.

The main aim of the study is to assess the feasibility of delivering an online exercise programme for adults with CP. Key areas of focus will include demand, implementation, practicality, adaptability, acceptability, and potential benefits to physical, mental, and social well-being.

A total of 60 adults with CP will be recruited and randomly assigned to one of two groups (30 participants per group). One group will complete an 8-week online exercise and education programme. The second group will receive the same educational materials during the study and will be provided with information about the home exercise programme after the 8-week intervention period. Data will be collected on attendance, completion rates, engagement with exercises, and any reported adverse events. Health-related surveys will be completed before and after the programme to assess any changes. In addition, a selected group of participants from the intervention group will take part in interviews to provide feedback on their experiences.

Findings from this study may support the development of accessible, effective, and person-centred online exercise programmes for adults with CP. Results may help improve future programme design and contribute to better care and support for adults with CP in Ireland.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged 18 and over with cerebral palsy (CP) residing on the island of Ireland.
* Individuals of any Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level.
* Individuals with other associated impairments.
* People with mild-to-moderate intellectual disability who can access the online platform and follow study instructions, with or without support.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals with severe intellectual disability where sufficient adaptations cannot be made.
* Adults with unstable medical conditions.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Physical function
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
measure: Mobility
timeFrame: rolling recruitment over 1.2 years
measure: Presence of Pain
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Mobility decline
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
measure: Falls
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
measure: Balance
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
measure: Pain intensity
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
measure: Pain quality
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
measure: Pain interference
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
measure: Fatigue
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
measure: Sleep
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
measure: Self-efficacy
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
measure: Depression
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
measure: Participation
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
Other outcomes:
measure: Practicality
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
measure: Recruitment rate
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
measure: Fidelity to the intervention receipt
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
measure: Fidelity of the intervention content
timeFrame: Duration of study 2 years
Locations:
city: Dublin
country: Ireland
facility: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
state: Leinster
Study officials:
affiliation: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
name: Jennifer M Ryan, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: