Dance Study For Children And Young People With Cerebral Palsy

Publicising with pleasure on behalf of CPotential.

Join Our Dance Study for Children and Young People with Cerebral Palsy

Ricarda Tillmann is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in paediatric neuro-orthopaedics at the Royal London Hospital and is currently pursuing a PhD at Queen Mary University of London. Her research is supervised by Professor Dylan Morrissey and Dr Manuela Angioi (QMUL), alongside Professor Jane Simmonds (UCL).

Ricarda is now recruiting children and young people with Cerebral Palsy (CP) to take part in a unique research project involving:

• A 10-week inclusive dance programme
• A one-week accelerometer wear study to monitor activity levels

We are looking for:
15 children (ages 5–12)
15 adolescents (ages 13–18)

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Why Is This Study Important?

Children and young people with CP are often less physically active and are three times more likely to develop health issues such as diabetes, stroke, or cardiorespiratory conditions later in life.

Dance is a fun, expressive, and engaging form of physical activity that could help improve health, fitness, and overall wellbeing.

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Who Can Take Part?

We’re looking for participants who:
Are aged 5–18 years
Have a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy (GMFCS I–III)
(GMFCS IV may be eligible if able to participate in a 1-hour session using a walker)
Can take part in group dance sessions independently

Mobility aids such as walkers, crutches, or sticks are absolutely fine — you can also use a wheelchair outside of class.

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Who Cannot Take Part?

Children and young people will not be eligible if they have:
Received Botulinum toxin in the 3 months before or during the study
Had surgery within 6 months before or during the study period

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When and Where?

Dance classes will begin in the first week of May, most likely on Wednesdays
All sessions and assessments will take place in East London (Mile End Hospital / Campus)

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Interested in Joining?

Please get in touch with:
Ricarda Tillmann
r.tillmann@qmul.ac.uk

We look forward to hearing from you!