The ROBUST study is trying to find out if a new exercise programme to strengthen the muscles of young people with cerebral palsy… works better than the usual physio exercises.

As children with cerebral palsy grow older, their bodies get bigger and the muscles in their legs become weaker. This can make it more difficult to do things like walking, climbing stairs or taking part in hobbies and sports.

Doctors and physiotherapists think that special exercises to strengthen the muscles in the legs could help children and young people with cerebral palsy stay more active as they grow older.

We are asking lots of young people with cerebral palsy, from across the country, to take part in this study.

Half the young people will do the new ROBUST exercises… and half will do the usual physio exercises.

The group doing the ROBUST exercise programme will see a physio 6 times in 4 months to go through the exercises.

You will do the exercises at home, 3 times a week, with help if you need it.

The group doing the usual exercise programme will see a physiotherapist once to go through the exercises and agree which activities to do.

To make the study fair, neither you nor the doctors and physiotherapists can choose which treatment you have.

It is decided by a computer using a process called randomisation.

We want to find out which exercise programme works best.

We also want to find out if the ROBUST exercises give you more muscle soreness than usual exercises.

If you join the ROBUST Study, a physiotherapist will carry out some simple tests to look at the strength of the muscles in your legs and how fast you can walk.

We will ask some questions about your walking, how well you can do activities, how you feel and if you’ve missed any school.

After 6 months you will come back to the hospital and a physiotherapist will carry out the same simple tests.

We will also send you the same set of questions by email or by post, at 6 months and at 12 months.

You don’t have to take part in the study.

If you do take part you can leave at any time.

You will still receive the usual physio treatment.

By taking part you will help us find out which exercises are best for young people with cerebral palsy.

The doctors, physiotherapists and research team are happy to answer any questions you have about joining the ROBUST study.

Version 1; 15th June 2023