Online exercise programme for adults living with cerebral palsy

CP-EXCEL: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial of an Online Exercise Programme for Adults With Cerebral Palsy

Not applicable Interventional Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland · NCT06983782

This project will test whether an online exercise and education programme can help adults with cerebral palsy get regular, tailored physical activity and support.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorRoyal College of Surgeons, Ireland Academic / other
Locations1 site (Dublin, Leinster)
Trial IDNCT06983782 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a feasibility randomized controlled trial recruiting 60 adults with cerebral palsy on the island of Ireland, who will be randomly assigned to an online exercise-and-education programme or a control group. The trial will examine demand, implementation, practicality, adaptability, acceptability, and preliminary signals of benefit for physical, mental, and social well-being. The intervention is delivered via an online platform and is intended to be adaptable to all Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels and to people with mild-to-moderate intellectual disability with support. Outcomes will focus on feasibility metrics and potential changes in activity, fitness, and quality of life rather than definitive efficacy.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 or older with cerebral palsy living on the island of Ireland who can access and use an online platform, including people at any GMFCS level and those with mild-to-moderate intellectual disability with support.

Not a fit: People with severe intellectual disability who cannot be accommodated by the platform, adults with unstable medical conditions, or those living outside the island of Ireland are unlikely to benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the programme could expand access to tailored exercise, improving physical fitness, mental well-being, and quality of life for adults with cerebral palsy.

How similar studies have performed: Small pilot and home-based tele-rehabilitation studies in cerebral palsy and related populations have shown promise, but randomized trials of fully online programmes for adults with CP remain limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged 18 and over with cerebral palsy (CP) residing on the island of Ireland.
* Individuals of any Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level.
* Individuals with other associated impairments.
* People with mild-to-moderate intellectual disability who can access the online platform and follow study instructions, with or without support.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals with severe intellectual disability where sufficient adaptations cannot be made.
* Adults with unstable medical conditions.

Where this trial is running

Dublin, Leinster

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Cerebral PalsyExerciseAdultsFitnessAdults with cerebral palsyOnline exercise programmephysiotherapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.