Research

The Enable Ireland Research Department is based at our Cork services and focuses on quality research in disability with a particular interest in cerebral palsy. Current research responsibilities include public health and clinical projects. Many of our research publications are available for download here.

From a public health perspective, the ongoing work includes participation in the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE) and SPARCLE networks.

Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE)

SCPE was set up in 1998 as a collaborative network of cerebral palsy registers and surveys in 14 centres in 8 countries across Europe. Enable Ireland is a member of the SCPE and we manage the Southern Ireland Cerebral Palsy Register (SICPR).

As well as conducting public health and epidemiological research on people with impairments such as cerebral palsy, SCPE has developed a standardised method of diagnosing cerebral palsy, classifying clinical subtypes and classifying distribution and severity of motor and other associated impairments.

SPARCLE – The study of participation of children with cerebral palsy living in Europe

The first SPARCLE project began in October 2002 and continued until December 2006, and looked into the influence of environmental factors on the participation and quality of life of 8-12 year old children with cerebral palsy in 6 EU countries. It was funded by the EU Research Framework 5 Programme and the results were published in March 2008.
Click here to view the SPARCLE results.

The SPARCLE study group is currently preparing the protocol for SPARCLE 2, a longitudinal study following the original cohort of 8-12 year old children into adolescence.

From a clinical research perspective, a Posture & Movement Assessment Clinic (PMAC) has been developed to fulfill clinical, research and educational functions. The PMAC is a secondary level assessment clinic to support the primary interdisciplinary teams in Enable Ireland Cork & Kerry Services. All children with cerebral palsy are assessed annually with the primary physiotherapist and occupational therapist.

Carrying Out Research

If you are interested in carrying out research involving Enable Ireland, please click on the links below.

Research in Ethics Committee - Application Form for Research in Enable Ireland (.doc, 178kb)

Guidelines for Undertaking Research involving Service Users, Staff or Families in Enable Ireland (.doc, 2Mb)