Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06983782

A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial of an Online Exercise Programme for Adults With Cerebral Palsy

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.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy Adults Behavior Brain Damage, Chronic Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Exercise Fitness Motor Activity Nervous System Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Dublin, Leinster, Dublin 2, Ireland

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Jennifer Ryan, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

Jennifer Ryan, PhD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Manjula Manikandan, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

01402 ext. 8507

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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.

Treatment and study plan

Exercise and education programme

Other

Participants will complete 8-week online exercise programme consisting of an online exercise class once per week. The exercises will target improving strength, balance and range of movement. In addition, participants will receive educational materials on exercise, nutrition, walking changes, fatigue, optimizing bone health, pain management, mental health, sleep and physical activity maintenance.

Control Group

Other

The control group will receive educational materials over 8 weeks

Primary outcomes

  1. Physical function

    Time frame: Duration of study 2 years

    Physical function will be measured using the PROMIS physical function- Short Form 10a scale.

  2. Mobility

    Time frame: rolling recruitment over 1.2 years

    Mobility will be measured using the Functional mobility scale on a scale of 0-6.

  3. Presence of Pain

    Time frame: Duration of study 2 years

    Pain will be assessed using a self-reported questionnaire, measured as Yes or No with description.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain intensity

    Time frame: Duration of study 2 years

    Pain intensity will be measured using the PROMIS Pain intensity form

  2. Pain quality

    Time frame: Duration of study 2 years

    Pain quality will be assessed using the PROMIS Neuropathic Pain Quality 5a and Nociceptive Pain Quality 5a scales, with total scores calculated for each to reflect the severity and type of pain experienced.

  3. Pain interference

    Time frame: Duration of study 2 years

    Pain quality will be assessed using the PROMIS Pain interference Short Form-8a, with total scores calculated to reflect the quality of pain experienced.

  4. Fatigue

    Time frame: Duration of study 2 years

    Fatigue will be assessed using the PROMIS Fatigue Short Form 13a (FACIT Fatigue) scale, with total scores calculated to reflect the severity of fatigue experienced by participants.

  5. Sleep

    Time frame: Duration of study 2 years

    Sleep will be assessed using the PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Short Form 4a scale, with total scores reflecting the extent of sleep disturbance experienced by participants.

  6. Self-efficacy

    Time frame: Duration of study 2 years

    Self-efficacy will be assessed using two PROMIS Short Form scales: the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Conditions - Managing Daily Activities (Short Form 8a) and the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Conditions - Managing Emotions. Total scores from each scale will reflect participants' confidence in managing daily activities and emotional responses related to their condition.

  7. Depression

    Time frame: Duration of study 2 years

    Depression will be assessed using the PROMIS Emotional Distress - Depression Short Form 8a, with total scores reflecting the severity of depressive symptoms experienced by participants.

  8. Participation

    Time frame: Duration of study 2 years

    Participation will be assessed using the PROMIS Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities Short Form 8a, with total scores indicating the extent to which participants are able to engage in social roles and daily activities.

Other outcomes

  1. Practicality

    Time frame: Duration of study 2 years

    Practicality will be assessed by recording adverse events. Measured as Yes or No with description

  2. Recruitment rate

    Time frame: Duration of study 2 years

    This will include recording the total number of people who responded to invitations or advertisements to participate in the study.

  3. Fidelity to the intervention receipt

    Time frame: Duration of study 2 years

    Fidelity of intervention receipt will be measured by recording the number of sessions attended by participants in the intervention group throughout the study.

  4. Fidelity of the intervention content

    Time frame: Duration of study 2 years

    Fidelity of intervention content will be assessed by self-reported completion of exercises, collected weekly from the intervention group and at follow-up from the control group.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Manjula Manikandan, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+3531402 ext. 8507

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland

Other

Registry information

Official study title

CP-EXCEL: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial of an Online Exercise Programme for Adults With Cerebral Palsy

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
May 21, 2025
Registry last updated
Aug 3, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.