Overview
Background
Leanne Sakzewski is an Associate Professor at the Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland. Leanne completed her undergraduate training in the field of occupational therapy at the University of Queensland. Prior to entering research, she practiced as a senior occupational therapist for eighteen years in paediatric rehabilitation and child development. She completed her PhD in 2010 from The University of Queensland in the field of upper limb rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy, and achieved a Dean's Commendation for outstanding Research Higher Degree.
Research interests
Leanne's research interests are in the conduct of randomised clinical trials in the field of cerebral palsy and childhood onset acquired brain injuries. In particular, she has focused on randomised controlled trials of:
* upper limb training approaches for infants and children with unilateral cerebral palsy;
* intensive models of motor training to improve gross motor and manual abilities for children with bilateral cerebral palsy;
* participation-focused intervention to increase physically active leisure for children with cerebral palsy;
* social skills group-based program for adolescents with brain injuries.
Availability
- Associate Professor Leanne Sakzewski is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Leanne Sakzewski’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Randomized comparison trial of rehabilitation very early for infants with congenital hemiplegia
Boyd, Roslyn N., Greaves, Susan, Ziviani, Jenny, Novak, Iona, Badawi, Nadia, Pannek, Kerstin, Elliott, Catherine, Wallen, Margaret, Morgan, Catherine, Valentine, Jane, Findlay, Lisa, Guzzetta, Andrea, Whittingham, Koa, Ware, Robert S., Fiori, Simona, Maitre, Nathalie L., Heathcock, Jill, Scott, Kym, Eliasson, Ann-Christin and Sakzewski, Leanne (2025). Randomized comparison trial of rehabilitation very early for infants with congenital hemiplegia. The Journal of Pediatrics, 277 114381, 114381. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.114381
2025
Journal Article
Investigating a caregiver-assisted social skills group programme for primary and early high school-aged children with acquired brain injury or cerebral palsy: protocol for a pilot mixed-methods, two-group randomised trial of PEERS Plus
Thompson, Bianca, Gilmore, Rose, Hilton, Nicola, Barfoot, Jacqui, Moody, Christine T., Whittingham, Koa, Keramat, Afroz, Boyd, Roslyn N. and Sakzewski, Leanne (2025). Investigating a caregiver-assisted social skills group programme for primary and early high school-aged children with acquired brain injury or cerebral palsy: protocol for a pilot mixed-methods, two-group randomised trial of PEERS Plus. BMJ Open, 15 (1) e095354, 1-12. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-095354
2024
Other Outputs
Data: Falls in ambulant children with cerebral palsy
Bentley, Laura, Boyd, Roslyn, Sakzewski, Leanne, Ashcroft, Sarah and Munns, Craig (2024). Data: Falls in ambulant children with cerebral palsy. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/8e7df29
2024
Conference Publication
Efficacy of upper limb therapies for children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Burgess, A., Chatfield, M., Jackman, M., Thorley, M., Reedman, S., Boyd, R. and Sakzewski, L. (2024). Efficacy of upper limb therapies for children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Quebec, QC Canada, 23-26 October 2024. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
2024
Conference Publication
Diet quality and parental concern about diet adequacy in children with cerebral palsy at school entry age
Oftedal, S., Boyd, R., Ware, R., Sakzewski, L. and Bell, K. (2024). Diet quality and parental concern about diet adequacy in children with cerebral palsy at school entry age. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Quebec, QC Canada, 23-26 October 2024. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2024
Conference Publication
Tools for early detection of developmental concerns and/or disability in young children (aged birth–5 years 11 months): A scoping review
Burgess, A., Luke, C., Jackman, M., Wotherspoon, J., Whittingham, K., Benfer, K., Goodman, S., Caesar, R., Nesakumar, T., Bora, S., Honeyman, D., Copplin, D., Reedman, S., Cairney, J., Reid, N., Sakzewski, L. and Boyd, R. (2024). Tools for early detection of developmental concerns and/or disability in young children (aged birth–5 years 11 months): A scoping review. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Quebec, QC Canada, 23-26 October 2024. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2024
Conference Publication
Long term outcomes and predictive factors after a randomised trial of Baby-CIMT and Baby-BIM for young children at risk of unilateral cerebral palsy
Boyd, R., Oftedal, S., Novak, I., Greaves, S., Badawi, N., Morgan, C., Elliott, C., Valentine, J., Findlay, L., Ware, R., Sakzewski, L. and Fiori, S. (2024). Long term outcomes and predictive factors after a randomised trial of Baby-CIMT and Baby-BIM for young children at risk of unilateral cerebral palsy. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Quebec, QC Canada, 23-26 October 2024. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2024
Conference Publication
School readiness outcomes of children identified as high risk of cerebral palsy in infancy
Oftedal, S., Boyd, R., Novak, I., Badawi, N., Bora, S., Ware, R., Morgan, C., Whittingham, K., Hines, A., Elliott, C., Valentine, J., Fahey, M. and Sakzewski, L. (2024). School readiness outcomes of children identified as high risk of cerebral palsy in infancy. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Quebec, QC Canada, 23-26 October 2024. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2024
Conference Publication
Efficacy of intensive training targeting mobility for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Sudati, I., Sakzewski, L., Da Silva, C., Jackman, M., Haddon, M., Pool, D., Patel, M., Boyd, R. and De Campos, A. (2024). Efficacy of intensive training targeting mobility for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Quebec, QC Canada, 23-26 October 2024. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
2024
Conference Publication
Participate-CP 2: Optimising participation in physically active leisure for children with cerebral palsy: Phase III randomized controlled trial
Sakzewski, L., Reedman, S., Elliott, C., Ziviani, J., Novak, I., Trost, S., Majnemer, A., Comans, T., Shikako, K., Ware, R., McNamara, L., Williams, S., Keramat, S., Brookes, D. and Boyd, R. (2024). Participate-CP 2: Optimising participation in physically active leisure for children with cerebral palsy: Phase III randomized controlled trial. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Quebec, QC Canada, 23-26 October 2024. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
2024
Journal Article
Implementing clinical practice guidelines for improving function in cerebral palsy: development of a fidelity tool
Jackman, Michelle, Thorley, Megan, Toovey, Rachel, Burgess, Andrea, Blatch-Williams, Remy, Sakzewski, Leanne, Boyd, Roslyn N and Novak, Iona (2024). Implementing clinical practice guidelines for improving function in cerebral palsy: development of a fidelity tool. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 37 (1), 4-13. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000001155
2024
Journal Article
Key elements of Goal-Directed Training for children with cerebral palsy: A qualitative content analysis
Ogilvie, Louise, Garbellini, Simon, Sakzewski, Leanne, Davidson, Sue-Anne and Elliottt, Catherine (2024). Key elements of Goal-Directed Training for children with cerebral palsy: A qualitative content analysis. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 88 (1), 1-8. doi: 10.1177/03080226241269239
2024
Journal Article
Clinical utility and psychometric properties of tools for early detection of developmental concerns and disability in young children: a scoping review
Burgess, Andrea, Luke, Carly, Jackman, Michelle, Wotherspoon, Jane, Whittingham, Koa, Benfer, Katherine, Goodman, Sarah, Caesar, Rebecca, Nesakumar, Tiffney, Bora, Samudragupta, Honeyman, David, Copplin, Danielle, Reedman, Sarah, Cairney, John, Reid, Natasha, Boyd, Roslyn N. and Sakzewski, Leanne (2024). Clinical utility and psychometric properties of tools for early detection of developmental concerns and disability in young children: a scoping review. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.16076
2024
Journal Article
Efficacy and threshold dose of intensive training targeting mobility for children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Sudati, Isabella Pessóta, Sakzewski, Leanne, Fioroni Ribeiro da Silva, Carolina, Jackman, Michelle, Haddon, Matthew, Pool, Dayna, Patel, Maharshi, Boyd, Roslyn N. and de Campos, Ana Carolina (2024). Efficacy and threshold dose of intensive training targeting mobility for children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Developmental medicine and child neurology, 66 (12), 1-16. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.16040
2024
Conference Publication
The preschool HABIT-ILE approach: Best responders in young children aged 2 to 5 years with bilateral cerebral palsy
McLeod, K., Reedman, S., Boyd, R. and Sakzewski, L. (2024). The preschool HABIT-ILE approach: Best responders in young children aged 2 to 5 years with bilateral cerebral palsy. 12th AusACPDM Biennial Conference, Cairns, QLD Australia, 31 July- 3 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2024
Conference Publication
Long term outcomes and predictive factors after RCT of Baby-CIMT and Baby-BIM for children at risk of unilateral cerebral palsy
Boyd, R., Sakzewski, L., Oftedal, S., Novak, I., Badawi, N., Morgan, C., Greaves, S., Elliott, C., Valentine, J., Ware, R. and Fiori, S. (2024). Long term outcomes and predictive factors after RCT of Baby-CIMT and Baby-BIM for children at risk of unilateral cerebral palsy. 12th AusACPDM Biennial Conference, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 31 July - 3 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2024
Conference Publication
School readiness outcomes of children identified as high risk of cerebral palsy in infancy
Oftedal, S., Boyd, R., Novak, I., Badawi, N., Whittingham, K., Morgan, C., Elliott, C., Fahey, M., Valentine, J., Ware, R., Bora, S. and Sakzewski, L. (2024). School readiness outcomes of children identified as high risk of cerebral palsy in infancy. 12th AusACPDM Biennial Conference, Cairns, QLD Australia, 31 July-3 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
2024
Conference Publication
HABIT-ILE Australia: Randomized trial of hand-arm bimanual intensive training including lower extremity for children with bilateral cerebral palsy
Sakzewski, L., Bleyenheuft, Y., Novak, I., Elliott, C., Reedman, S., Morgan, C., Pannek, K., Fripp, J., Ware, R. and Boyd, R. (2024). HABIT-ILE Australia: Randomized trial of hand-arm bimanual intensive training including lower extremity for children with bilateral cerebral palsy. 12th AusACPDM Biennial Conference, Cairns, QLD Australia, 31 July - 3 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2024
Conference Publication
Efficacy of group social skills interventions on social functioning and social participation in children with brain injuries: A systematic review
Thompson, B., Barfoot, J., Gilmore, R. and Sakzewski, L. (2024). Efficacy of group social skills interventions on social functioning and social participation in children with brain injuries: A systematic review. 12th AusACPDM Biennial Conference, Cairns, QLD Australia, 31 July - 3 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2024
Conference Publication
Implementation of Learning through Everyday Activities with Parents of Infants with CP (LEAP CP) early detection and intervention program in India
Moula, M., Benfer, K., Boyd, R. and Sakzewski, L. (2024). Implementation of Learning through Everyday Activities with Parents of Infants with CP (LEAP CP) early detection and intervention program in India. Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Cairns, QLD Australia, 31 July-3 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Leanne Sakzewski is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
CP ArtS: Optimising social skills in primary school-aged children with acquired brain injury and cerebral palsy through active participation in a group-based Creative and Performing Arts Social skills program
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jacqui Barfoot
-
Doctor Philosophy
Preschool HABIT-ILE: The impact of intensive motor training to improve gross motor function in young children with bilateral cerebral palsy.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sarah Reedman
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
A multi-centre, randomised waitlist-control trial investigating a parent assisted social skills group program for adolescents with brain injuries: The Friends Project
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zephanie Tyack
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Caregiver-infant emotional availability outcomes and intervention delivery fidelity in a community-based caregiver-implemented program for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy in a low resource context
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kath Benfer, Dr Emma Crawford
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Development of self-care performance in children with cerebral palsy, and its relationship to manual ability.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Roslyn Boyd
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Efficacy of an online multimodal therapy program on gross motor outcomes in children and adolescents with an acquired brain injury
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Roslyn Boyd
Media
Enquiries
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