Professor Catherine Elliott
Director, Research
PhD, BSc (OT)
catherine.elliott@telethonkids.org.au
Professor Elliott commenced as the Director of Research at The Kids Research Institute Australia in 2020. Her leadership role brings people together to work collaboratively to elevate the research excellence to improve the health and development of children. Prior to starting at the Institute she was the Professorial Chair of Allied Health and Kids Rehab at Curtin University and the Child and Adolescent Health Services of Western Australia.
Professor Elliott brings experience in executive leadership and organizational management, consumer involvement, commercialisation and innovation, research as well as health and disability service delivery.
Professor Elliott has always been passionate about improving the outcomes for babies and children who have neurological impairment. After working as a senior occupational therapist at Perth Children’s Hospital for more than a decade, she became curious about the evidence behind the interventions delivered to children and became motivated for children with cerebral palsy to receive clinical services based on the best available evidence.
Determined to make sure that the right intervention occurs at the right time, Professor Elliott invests her time in two main areas of research: supporting clinicians working in hospital and community settings to use the latest science in their clinical practice to improve outcomes for children and their families; and developing new evidence-based treatments impact to improve the functioning of children with cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions. She is a chief investigator on over six NHMRC clinical trials or cohort studies and one NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in the area of cerebral palsy. Catherine supervises and mentors a large number of doctoral students, post-doctoral staff and researchers.
She maintains a strong belief in actively engaging consumers in all aspects of her research so that their lived experience guides the research process.
Professor Elliott is currently the Chair of Kids Rehab at Child Adolescent Health Services (CAHS) and a Professor in the School of Allied Health at Curtin University.
Catherine is supported by her husband, two boys and her border collie Jess.
Projects
Global Scales for Early Development: Piloting the Family Check Up Program
Every year, over 80,000 Western Australian children will have a diagnosed mental health disorder.
Early Irritability as a Transdiagnostic Neurodevelopmental Vulnerability to Later Mental Health Problems
Irritability is a common trait seen in children. While expressions of irritability are part of normal development, servere irritability is a known indicator of child and adolescent mental health problems.
Early Moves
August 2020
Published research
How can we reach long-lasting inclusive participation for all? A vision for the future
In 2022, an international conference was held focusing on 'participation'. We shared current evidence, identified knowledge gaps and worked together to understand what new knowledge and community and practice changes were needed. This brief communication is a summary of the conference delegates' discussions.
Investigating the impact of developmental coordination difficulties across home, school, and community settings: Findings from the Australian Impact for DCD survey
To evaluate the participation difficulties experienced by children with developmental coordination disorder in home, school, and community environments.
Does somatosensory discrimination therapy alter sensorimotor upper limb function differently compared to motor therapy in children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Besides motor impairments, up to 90% of the children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy (uCP) present with somatosensory impairments in the upper limb. As somatosensory information is of utmost importance for coordinated movements and motor learning, somatosensory impairments can further compromise the effective use of the impaired upper limb in daily life activities.
Profiling the Longitudinal Development of Babbling in Infants with Cerebral Palsy: Validation of the Infant Monitor of Vocal Production (IMP) Using the Stark Assessment of Early Vocal Development-Revised (SAEVD-R)
We compared early vocal development in children "at risk" for cerebral palsy (CP) with typically developing (TD) infants aged 6 to 15 months using the SAEVD-R, investigating potential pre-linguistic markers of communication impairment. Additionally, we sought to examine the agreement between the SAEVD-R and IMP, which uses parent report, in identifying departure from typical vocal development in at-risk infants.
Participate CP 2: optimising participation in physically active leisure for children with cerebral palsy - protocol for a phase III randomised controlled trial
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) participate less in physical activities and have increased sedentary behaviour compared with typically developing peers. Participate CP is a participation-focused therapy intervention for children with CP with demonstrated efficacy in a phase II randomised controlled trial (RCT) to increase perceived performance of physical activity participation goals. This study will test the effectiveness of Participate CP in a multisite phase III RCT.
Kindy Moves: the feasibility of an intensive interdisciplinary programme on goal and motor outcomes for preschool-aged children with neurodisabilities requiring daily equipment and physical assistance
To determine the feasibility of an intensive interdisciplinary programme in improving goal and motor outcomes for preschool-aged children with non-progressive neurodisabilities. The primary hypothesis was that the intervention would be feasible.
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Early Irritability as a Transdiagnostic Neurodevelopmental Vulnerability to Later Mental Health Problems
Irritability is a transdiagnostic indicator of child and adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems that is measurable from early life. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the strength of the association between irritability measured from 0 to 5 years and later internalizing and externalizing problems, to identify mediators and moderators of these relationships, and to explore whether the strength of the association varied according to irritability operationalization.
ACTIVE STRIDES-CP: Protocol for a randomised trial of intensive rehabilitation (combined intensive gait and cycling training) for children with moderate-to-severe bilateral cerebral palsy
For children with cerebral palsy (CP), who are marginally ambulant, gross motor capacity peaks between 6 and 7 years of age with a subsequent clinical decline, impacting their ability to engage in physical activity. Active Strides-CP is a novel package of physiotherapy targeting body functions, activity and participation outcomes for children with bilateral CP. This study will compare Active Strides-CP to usual care in a multisite randomised waitlist-controlled trial.
Harnessing neuroplasticity to improve motor performance in infants with cerebral palsy: A study protocol for the GAME randomised controlled trial
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability of childhood worldwide. Historically the diagnosis was made between 12 and 24 months, meaning data about effective early interventions to improve motor outcomes are scant. In high-income countries, two in three children will walk. This evaluator-blinded randomised controlled trial will investigate the efficacy of an early and sustained Goals-Activity-Motor Enrichment approach to improve motor and cognitive skills in infants with suspected or confirmed CP.
Hand function development of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: A scoping review
Hemiplegic cerebral palsy (hCP) typically impacts sensorimotor control of the hand, but comprehensive assessments of the hands of children with hCP are relatively rare. This scoping review summarizes the development of hand function for children with hCP.
The Use of Serious Gaming to Improve Sensorimotor Function and Motivation in People with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review
The aim of this systematic review was to review the evidence for serious gaming interventions in improving sensorimotor function in children and adults with cerebral palsy (CP). Seven databases were searched with terms related to serious gaming and CP.
REACH: study protocol of a randomised trial of rehabilitation very early in congenital hemiplegia
Congenital hemiplegia is the most common form of cerebral palsy (CP). Children with unilateral CP show signs of upper limb asymmetry by 8 months corrected age (ca) but are frequently not referred to therapy until after 12 months ca. This study compares the efficacy of infant-friendly modified constraint-induced movement therapy (Baby mCIMT) to infant friendly bimanual therapy (Baby BIM) on upper limb, cognitive and neuroplasticity outcomes in a multisite randomised comparison trial.
Implementation of an Early Communication Intervention for Young Children with Cerebral Palsy Using Single-Subject Research Design
The implementation of an intervention protocol aimed at increasing vocal complexity in three pre-linguistic children with cerebral palsy (two males, starting age 15 months, and one female, starting age 16 months) was evaluated utilising a repeated ABA case series design. The study progressed until the children were 36 months of age. Weekly probes with trained and untrained items were administered across each of three intervention blocks.
From guidelines to practice: A retrospective clinical cohort study investigating implementation of the early detection guidelines for cerebral palsy in a state-wide early intervention service
To report on knowledge translation strategies and outcomes from the implementation of the early detection guidelines for cerebral palsy (CP) in a state-wide tertiary early intervention (EI) service and investigate the impact of social determinants on clinical services.
Construct validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the Wrist Position Sense Test for use in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy
We investigate the construct validity, test re-test reliability, and responsiveness of the Wrist Position Sense Test (WPST) for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP).
Implications of providing wrist-hand orthoses for children with cerebral palsy: evidence from a randomised controlled trial
To investigate the effects of providing rigid wrist-hand orthoses plus usual multidisciplinary care, on reducing hand impairments in children with cerebral palsy.
"Capturing the magic": identifying the active ingredients of a physical activity participation intervention for children and youth with disabilities
This study aimed to define the active ingredients of a participation-focused physical activity intervention for children and youth with disabilities.
Botulinum toxin and surgical intervention in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: who, when and why do we treat?
This audit aimed to increase understanding of the long-term outcomes of evidence-based medical and surgical interventions to improve gross motor function in children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy.
Measuring skeletal muscle morphology and architecture with imaging modalities in children with cerebral palsy: a scoping review
To investigate the use of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methodologies to assess muscle morphology and architecture in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Kindy Moves: a protocol for establishing the feasibility of an activity-based intervention on goal attainment and motor capacity delivered within an interdisciplinary framework for preschool aged children with cerebral palsy
Preschool aged children with cerebral palsy (CP) and like conditions are at risk of performing below their peers in key skill areas of school readiness. Kindy Moves was developed to support school readiness in preschool aged children with CP and like conditions that are dependent on physical assistance and equipment throughout the day. The primary aims are to determine the feasibility of motor-based interventions that are functional and goal directed, adequately dosed and embedded into a play environment with interdisciplinary support to optimise goal-driven outcomes.
Participation predictors for leisure-time physical activity intervention in children with cerebral palsy
To determine the predictors of magnitude of change in response to a participation-focused leisure-time physical activity intervention in children with cerebral palsy (CP) using the ParticiPAte CP protocol.
Application of Inertial Measurement Units and Machine Learning Classification in Cerebral Palsy: Randomized Controlled Trial
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a physical disability that affects movement and posture. Approximately 17 million people worldwide and 34,000 people in Australia are living with CP. In clinical and kinematic research, goniometers and inclinometers are the most commonly used clinical tools to measure joint angles and positions in children with CP.
Physical activity participation among children diagnosed with mental health disorders: A qualitative analysis of children’s and their guardian’s perspectives
Children with mental health disorders have lower physical activity levels compared to their peers; however, minimal research has been conducted to date to understand their unique experiences of physical activity. We sought to better understand these experiences, along with contributing factors, through interviews with children with mental health disorders and their parents/guardians.
Unpacking the application of Q methodology for use in occupational therapy research
Occupational therapy research has not fully utilized available research methods when exploring occupational therapists' views on specific interventions and service provision nor when exploring consumer priorities and the impact of occupational therapy services. Q methodology, a quantitative method for the systematic assessment of qualitative data, is an approach that can be used to examine viewpoints related to occupational therapy.
The Neurological Hand Deformity Classification: Construct validity, test-retest, and inter-rater reliability
The Neurological Hand Deformity Classification (NHDC) is an impairment-based tool that classifies hand deformity into one of two ordinal scales: flexion or extension deformities. Classification is made from live observation or from recorded video footage. Differentiation between the levels is determined by wrist position and wrist and finger movement.
The Power of Playgroups: Key components of supported and therapeutic playgroups from the perspective of parents
Playgroups are community-based programs for children and families aiming to improve child outcomes, enhance family and community networks and increase parenting capacity. Despite the prevalence of playgroups in Australian communities there is a lack of research clearly articulating the key components of playgroups, specifically from the perspective of parents attending these groups.
Randomised Controlled Trial of a Therapeutic Playgroup for Children with Developmental Delays
A single-blind randomised control trial investigated the effectiveness of the Learn, Engage and Play (LEaP) playgroup. Seventy-one children with developmental delay were randomly allocated to an 8-week LEaP playgroup or control group and followed up at 12 and 28 weeks.
The Development and Feasibility of a Manualised Therapeutic Playgroup for Children with Developmental Delay
Playgroups are widely used throughout the Australian community yet understanding of their efficacy is hindered by inconsistent playgroup definitions and practice principles. This study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate the feasibility of a manualised therapeutic playgroup for children with developmental delay and their families using a three step process.
A qualitative exploration of motivations and barriers for community leisure organisations’ engagement with the Jooay™ mobile app
Participation in leisure activities is key to the physical and mental health of children and adolescents with disabilities. The Jooay™ mobile app aims to link children and adolescents with disability to participation opportunities in their community.
Descriptive contents analysis of ParticiPAte CP: a participation-focused intervention to promote physical activity participation in children with cerebral palsy
ParticiPAte CP is a participation-focused therapy intervention that is effective to increase perceived performance of physical activity participation goals in children with cerebral palsy. We aimed to characterise the contents of ParticiPAte CP using validated behaviour change frameworks.
Is the search for cerebral palsy 'cures' a reasonable and appropriate goal in the 2020s?
In the field of disability research and advocacy, the notion of 'cures' is contentious. Cerebral palsy (CP) is no exception. In this narrative review, we combine perspectives gained during community consultation undertaken for the Australian and New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Strategy, 2020 with those published in the scientific and grey literature to understand whether 'cures for CP' is a reasonable and appropriate goal.
Clinical utilisation of the Infant Monitor of vocal Production (IMP) for early identification of communication impairment in young infants at-risk of cerebral palsy: a prospective cohort study
Aim: To report prospective longitudinal data of early vocaliszations of infants identified “at-risk” of cerebral palsy (CP) for early identification of communication impairment. This case-control longitudinal prospective cohort study reports on the assessment of 36 infants.
Early Moves: a protocol for a population-based prospective cohort study to establish general movements as an early biomarker of cognitive impairment in infants
The current diagnostic pathways for cognitive impairment rarely identify babies at risk before 2 years of age. Very early detection and timely targeted intervention has potential to improve outcomes for these children and support them to reach their full life potential. Early Moves aims to identify early biomarkers, including general movements (GMs), for babies at risk of cognitive impairment, allowing early intervention within critical developmental windows to enable these children to have the best possible start to life.
Somatosensory discrimination impairment in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy as measured by the sense_assess© kids
To characterise somatosensory discrimination impairment of the upper-limb across domains of tactile discrimination, limb position sense and haptic object recognition using the sense_assess© kids and examine associations with upper-limb motor performance in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP).
The unmet clinical needs of children with developmental coordination disorder
The aim of this study was to understand the challenges experienced by families obtaining a diagnosis and therapy for developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Parents of 435 children aged 4-18 years with persistent motor difficulties consistent with a diagnosis of DCD completed an online survey. Diagnostic timeline and diagnostic label/s received were examined, along with therapies accessed.
Locomotor and robotic assistive gait training for children with cerebral palsy
To determine if robotic assisted gait training (RAGT) using surface muscle electrical stimulation and locomotor training enhances mobility outcomes when compared to locomotor training alone in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Forty children (18 females, 22 males; mean age 8y 1mo, SD 2y 1mo; range 5y 1mo-12y 11mo) with CP in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels (GMFCS) III, IV, and V were randomly assigned to the RAGT and locomotor training (RAGT+LT) group or locomotor training only group (dosage for both: three 1-hour sessions a week for 6 weeks). Outcomes were assessed at baseline T1 (week 0), post-treatment T2 (week 6), and retention T3 (week 26).