Through research and national and international collaborations, the Phelps team is refining outcome measures and striving to develop novel therapies to improve the motor function of children with cerebral palsy.

Individuals with cerebral palsy: Who has pain?

Studies have found that 60-70% of people with cerebral palsy have pain by adulthood. We are starting to unravel which individuals are at greatest risk of pain that limits participation in activities. We have found (link, link) that these may be risk factors for pain for people with cerebral palsy:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Attention difficulties 
  • Lower-income household 
  • Difficulty feeling sharp or cool sensations

MRI and Individuals with Cerebral Palsy

Children and adults with cerebral palsy have challenges controlling movement. With cutting-edge MRI techniques, we found that sensory brain pathways are also commonly affected (link). Interestingly, sensory pathway injury seems to closely align with movement functioning (link).