AVERT-CP：脑性瘫痪幼儿的超早期康复

关于脑瘫婴儿早期康复的博士研究项目，重点在于早期干预措施的协同设计与测试。申请者应具备健康科学背景，理想情况下需具有治疗相关专业经验。

Project description: Infants at higher chance of cerebral palsy can be identified accurately by 3 months corrected age with clinical tools and brain imaging. Even earlier biomarkers in the first month of life indicative of high chance of cerebral palsy are showing promise in our NHMRC Synergy program (EPINO-Early Prediction of Infant Neurodevelopmental Outcomes). A range of early interventions (for infants with high chance of unilateral cerebral palsy-REACH, for all types of CP- LEAP and those at high risk of Vision impairment-VISIBLE) have shown efficacy to improve upper limb function, Gross motor development and vision. These however have only been tested from 3 months of age, leaving a critical gap in evidence for even earlier intervention from soon after birth. This project aims to co-design A Very Eary Rehabilitation- AVERT (with expert clinicians and consumer stakeholders) and test the effectiveness of a holistic very early intervention for infants post discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care unit. Phase 1: Codesign a holistic very early intervention program. Working with a multi-disciplinary group of expert clinician researchers, and parents of children with cerebral palsy, co-design will identify the intervention targets, dose and scheduling, location and mode of delivery. A diverse group of stakeholders will ensure cultural safety, acceptability and feasibility across diverse care settings. This stage may involve development of a comprehensive treatment manual and family and clinician resources to support intervention delivery. Phase 2: Pilot testing will assess feasibility, implementation burden, and preliminary effectiveness in an RCT, informing future scale-up and health service integration. This research directly addresses national priorities in childhood disability, chronic disease prevention, and improving health outcomes for children with complex needs. By delivering an evidence-informed, integrated approach to early intervention, the project aims to improve child wellbeing, support families, and provide a foundation for system-level change in the care of children with cerebral palsy. References ［会员专属信息］, R. N., Greaves, S., Ziviani, J., Novak, I., Badawi, N., Pannek, K., Elliott, C., Wallen, M., Morgan, C., Valentine, J., Findlay, L., Guzzetta, A., Whittingham, K., Ware, R. S., Fiori, S., Maitre, N. L., Heathcock, J., Scott, K., Eliasson, A. C., & Sakzewski, L. (2025). Randomized Comparison Trial of Rehabilitation Very Early for Infants with Congenital Hemiplegia. J Pediatr, 277, 114381. ［会员资料链接］ . Guzzetta, A., Bancale, A., Bedoshvili, A., Bosanquet, M., Chorna, O., Corsi, G., Del Secco, S., Elliott, C., Fiori, S., Fripp, J., Gole, G. A., Gordon, A., Harpster, K., Hunt, R. W., Leishman, S., Mori, R., Morgan, C., Novak, I., Pagnozzi, A. M., Pannek, K., … ［会员专属信息］, R. N. (2026). Vision Intervention for Seeing Impaired Babies: Learning through Enrichment (VISIBLE) - protocol of a feasibility pilot randomised controlled trial. BMJ open, 16(4), e114567. ［会员资料链接］ Benfer KA, Whittingham K, Ware RS, Ghosh AK, Chowdhury S, Moula G, ［会员专属信息］ RB et al. Efficacy of early intervention for infants with cerebral palsy in an LMIC: An RCT. Pediatrics. 2024;153(4):1-15. ［会员资料链接］. Benfer, Katherine, ［会员专属信息］, ［会员专属信息］ N, Roe, Yvette, Fagan, Ruth, Luke, Carly, Mick-Ramsamy, Leeann, Whittingham, Koa, Novak, Iona, Bosanquet, Margot, McNamara, Lynda, Khandaker, Gulam, Fogarty, Lucy, Cadet-James, Yvonne, Ruben, Alan, Comans, Tracy, Smith, Anthony and Ware, Robert S (2023). Study protocol: peer delivered early intervention (Learning through Everyday Activities with Parents for Infants at risk of Cerebral Palsy: LEAP-CP) for First Nation Australian infants at high risk of cerebral palsy - an RCT study. BMJ Open, 13 (3) e059531, 1-16. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059531. Research environment: This PhD project will be conducted within an established interdisciplinary paediatric research environment at the Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre (QCPRRC), embedded within CHRC-UQ (Child Health Research Centre, The University of Qld) which has strong links to tertiary paediatric hospitals and community disability services, supporting access to relevant clinical populations and translation to practice. This research program will be embedded within the newly established National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre for Research Excellence (CRE): The Australasian Cerebral Palsy Health Network. QCPRRC has an active research program including an 8-week systematic review course, GRADE training, grant writing, and biostatistical, health economic and data management infrastructure support. Other opportunities for research training will be available through the CRE. The CHRC-UQ infrastructure will support data storage, management, and analysis in accordance with ethical and governance requirements. You will have access to statistical and qualitative analysis software and be supported by an experienced multidisciplinary supervisory team.

优先考虑的教育背景： 申请将通过竞争性评审进行评估。 我们会考虑您的以下情况： 以往学业成绩 发表成果 荣誉与奖项 工作经历。 具备婴儿发育、早期干预、参与式共同设计流程，以及定性和定量研究方法方面的实用知识，将有助于开展本项目。 您需要展示在作业治疗或物理治疗领域的学术成绩，以及取得学术成功的潜力。 非常欢迎具有神经发育障碍方面背景或知识的申请者。 本项目不向国际学生开放。

Scholarship: This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant. The scholarship includes: living stipend of $39,220 per annum tax free (2026 rate), indexed annually your tuition fees covered Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship .

How to apply: This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 4, 2027. You can start in an earlier research quarter. You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by the closing date for the research quarter (RQ) you want to start in: Domestic applicants: RQ 1 (January): 30 September RQ 2 (April): 31 December RQ 3 (July): 31 March RQ 4 (October): 30 June. International applicants: RQ 1 (January): 30 June RQ 2 (April): 30 September RQ 3 (July): 31 December RQ 4 (October): 31 March. Before you apply Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) . Prepare your documentation . When you apply To apply, submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the program. You don't need to apply separately for the project or scholarship. How to submit an EOI In your EOI, complete the ' Scholarship/Sponsorship ' section with the following details: Are you applying for an advertised project: 'Yes' Project: 'Fellowship project scholarship' Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: PALSY-［会员专属信息］ Link to Scholarship Advertisement: ［会员资料链接］ Submit an EOI