Randomised controlled trial of a novel online cognitive rehabilitation programme for children with cerebral palsy: a study protocol

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of physical disability in children, with an estimated 600–700 infants born with CP in Australia each year. CP is typically associated with motor impairments, but nearly half of all children with CP also experience cognitive impairment, potentially impacting educational and vocational achievement. This paper reports the protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a computerised cognitive training intervention based on behavioural principles: Strengthening Mental Abilities through Relational Training (SMART). The study aims to investigate SMART’s effect on fluid reasoning, executive function and academic achievement in children with CP. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Sixty children with mild to moderate CP (Gross Motor Function Classification Scale I–IV) aged between 8 years and 12 years will be recruited. Participants will be randomly allocated to two groups: SMART cognitive training and waitlist control. Families will access the programme at home over a 4-month period. Assessments will be administered at baseline, 20 weeks and at 40 week follow-up for retention. The primary outcome will be fluid intelligence, while academic achievement, executive function and social and emotional well-being will be secondary outcomes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has approval from the Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service Research Ethics Committee (HREC/14/QRCH/377) and The University of Queensland (2017001806). If the computerised cognitive training programme is found to be effective, dissemination of these findings would assist children with CP by providing an accessible, cost-effective intervention that can be completed at home at the individual’s own pace. REGISTRATION DETAILS: The study was registered prospectively on 10 November 2017 to present. Recruitment is now under way, and we aim to complete recruitment by June 2019, with data collection finalised by March 2020. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12617001550392; Pre-results.