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Associate Professor Leanne Sakzewski
Associate Professor

Leanne Sakzewski

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 36407

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

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

252 works between 1996 and 2025

201 - 220 of 252 works

2013

Conference Publication

Efficacy of upper limb therapies for children with congenital hemiplegia to improve activity and individualised outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis update

Sakzewski, L. and Boyd, R. N. (2013). Efficacy of upper limb therapies for children with congenital hemiplegia to improve activity and individualised outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis update. American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) 67th Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI, United States, 16-19 October 2013. Oxford, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.12251

Efficacy of upper limb therapies for children with congenital hemiplegia to improve activity and individualised outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis update

2012

Journal Article

Evaluation of the effects of Botulinum toxin A injections when used to improve ease of care and comfort in children with cerebral palsy whom are non-ambulant: A double blind randomized controlled trial

Thorley, Megan, Donaghey, Samantha, Edwards, Priya, Copeland, Lisa, Kentish, Megan, McLennan, Kim, Lindsley, Jayne, Gascoigne-Pees, Laura, Sakzewski, Leanne and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2012). Evaluation of the effects of Botulinum toxin A injections when used to improve ease of care and comfort in children with cerebral palsy whom are non-ambulant: A double blind randomized controlled trial. BMC Pediatrics, 12 (1) 120, 120.1-120.23. doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-12-120

Evaluation of the effects of Botulinum toxin A injections when used to improve ease of care and comfort in children with cerebral palsy whom are non-ambulant: A double blind randomized controlled trial

2012

Journal Article

Impact of intensive upper limb rehabilitation on quality of life: A randomized trial in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

Sakzewski, Leanne, Carlon, Stacey, Shields, Nora, Ziviani, Jenny, Ware, Robert S. and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2012). Impact of intensive upper limb rehabilitation on quality of life: A randomized trial in children with unilateral cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 54 (5), 415-423. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2012.04272.x

Impact of intensive upper limb rehabilitation on quality of life: A randomized trial in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

2012

Journal Article

Sakzewski et al. reply

Sakzewski, Leanne and Boyd, Roslyn (2012). Sakzewski et al. reply. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 54 (4), 381-382. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2012.04241.x

Sakzewski et al. reply

2012

Conference Publication

GRIN: randomised trial of group versus individual models of physiotherapy for ambulant children with cerebral palsy following lower limb Botulinum Toxin-A

Thomas, R., Johnston, L. M., Sakzewski, L., Case, V. and Kentish, M. (2012). GRIN: randomised trial of group versus individual models of physiotherapy for ambulant children with cerebral palsy following lower limb Botulinum Toxin-A. 6th Biennial Conference of the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Brisbane, Australia, 30 May - 2 June 2012. Oxford, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2012.04289.x

GRIN: randomised trial of group versus individual models of physiotherapy for ambulant children with cerebral palsy following lower limb Botulinum Toxin-A

2012

Conference Publication

Impact of intensive upper limb rehabilitation on quality of life a randomised trial for children with congenital hemiplegia

Sakzewski, L., Carlon, S., Shields, N., Ziviani, J. and Boyd, R. N. (2012). Impact of intensive upper limb rehabilitation on quality of life a randomised trial for children with congenital hemiplegia. 6th Biennial Conference of the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Brisbane, Australia, 30 May - 2 June 2012. Oxford, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2012.04289.x

Impact of intensive upper limb rehabilitation on quality of life a randomised trial for children with congenital hemiplegia

2012

Journal Article

Bimanual therapy and constraint-induced movement therapy are equally effective in improving hand function in children with congenital hemiplegia

Sakzewski, Leanne (2012). Bimanual therapy and constraint-induced movement therapy are equally effective in improving hand function in children with congenital hemiplegia. Journal of Physiotherapy, 58 (1), 59-59. doi: 10.1016/S1836-9553(12)70075-9

Bimanual therapy and constraint-induced movement therapy are equally effective in improving hand function in children with congenital hemiplegia

2012

Conference Publication

Double blind randomized trial of Botulinum Toxin-A and therapy compared to sham and therapy for care and comfort goals in children with marked cerebral palsy

Copeland, L., Thorley, M., Edwards, P., Donaghey, S., Kentish, M., McLennan, K., Sakzewski, L. and Boyd, R. N. (2012). Double blind randomized trial of Botulinum Toxin-A and therapy compared to sham and therapy for care and comfort goals in children with marked cerebral palsy. 6th Biennial Conference of the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 30 May - 2 June 2012. Oxford, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2012.04289.x

Double blind randomized trial of Botulinum Toxin-A and therapy compared to sham and therapy for care and comfort goals in children with marked cerebral palsy

2011

Journal Article

Best Responders After Intensive Upper-Limb Training for Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

Sakzewski, L., Ziviani, J. and Boyd, R.N. (2011). Best Responders After Intensive Upper-Limb Training for Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 92 (4), 578-584. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2010.12.003

Best Responders After Intensive Upper-Limb Training for Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

2011

Journal Article

Randomized trial of constraint-induced movement therapy and bimanual training on activity outcomes for children with congenital hemiplegia

Sakzewski, Leanne, Ziviani, Jenny, Abbott, David F., Macdonell, Richard A. L., Jackson, Graeme D. and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2011). Randomized trial of constraint-induced movement therapy and bimanual training on activity outcomes for children with congenital hemiplegia. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 53 (4), 313-320. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2010.03859.x

Randomized trial of constraint-induced movement therapy and bimanual training on activity outcomes for children with congenital hemiplegia

2011

Journal Article

Participation outcomes in a randomized trial of 2 models of upper-limb rehabilitation for children with congenital hemiplegia

Sakzewski, Leanne, Ziviani, Jenny, Abbott, David F., Macdonell, Richard A., Jackson, Graeme D. and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2011). Participation outcomes in a randomized trial of 2 models of upper-limb rehabilitation for children with congenital hemiplegia. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 92 (4), 531-539. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2010.11.022

Participation outcomes in a randomized trial of 2 models of upper-limb rehabilitation for children with congenital hemiplegia

2011

Journal Article

Botulinum toxin A in conjunction with occupational therapy reduces spasticity and improves upper limb function and goal attainment in children with cerebral palsy: Synopsis: Commentary

Galvin, Jane and Sakzewski, Leanne (2011). Botulinum toxin A in conjunction with occupational therapy reduces spasticity and improves upper limb function and goal attainment in children with cerebral palsy: Synopsis: Commentary. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 58 (2), 132-133. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1630.2011.00925.x

Botulinum toxin A in conjunction with occupational therapy reduces spasticity and improves upper limb function and goal attainment in children with cerebral palsy: Synopsis: Commentary

2011

Journal Article

Equivalent retention of gains at 1 year after training with constraint-induced or bimanual therapy in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

Sakzewski, Leanne, Ziviani, Jenny, Abbott, David F., Macdonell, Richard A. L., Jackson, Graeme D. and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2011). Equivalent retention of gains at 1 year after training with constraint-induced or bimanual therapy in children with unilateral cerebral palsy. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 25 (7), 664-671. doi: 10.1177/1545968311400093

Equivalent retention of gains at 1 year after training with constraint-induced or bimanual therapy in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

2011

Conference Publication

Impact of intense upper limb rehabilitation on quality of life in a randomised trial for children with congenital hemiplegia

Sakzewski, L., Carlon, S., Shields, N., Ziviani, J. and Boyd, R .N. (2011). Impact of intense upper limb rehabilitation on quality of life in a randomised trial for children with congenital hemiplegia. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Las Vegas, United States, 12-15 October 2011. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology: Wiley - Blackwell Publishing.

Impact of intense upper limb rehabilitation on quality of life in a randomised trial for children with congenital hemiplegia

2010

Journal Article

A systematic review of the psychometric properties of Quality of Life measures for school aged children with cerebral palsy

Carlon, Stacey, Shields, Nora, Yong, Katherine, Gilmore, Rose, Sakzewski, Leanne and Boyd, Roslyn (2010). A systematic review of the psychometric properties of Quality of Life measures for school aged children with cerebral palsy. BMC Pediatrics, 10 (81) 81, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-10-81

A systematic review of the psychometric properties of Quality of Life measures for school aged children with cerebral palsy

2010

Journal Article

The relationship between unimanual capacity and bimanual performance in children with congenital hemiplegia

Sakzewski, Leanne, Ziviani, Jenny and Boyd, Roslyn (2010). The relationship between unimanual capacity and bimanual performance in children with congenital hemiplegia. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 52 (9), 811-816. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2009.03588.x

The relationship between unimanual capacity and bimanual performance in children with congenital hemiplegia

2010

Journal Article

A balancing act: Children's experience of modified constraint-induced movement therapy

Gilmore, Rose, Ziviani, Jenny, Sakzewski, Leanne, Shields, Nora and Boyd, Roslyn (2010). A balancing act: Children's experience of modified constraint-induced movement therapy. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 13 (2), 88-94. doi: 10.3109/17518420903386161

A balancing act: Children's experience of modified constraint-induced movement therapy

2010

Conference Publication

Use-dependent neuoroplasticity in an RCT of Constraint Induced Movement Therapy versus Bimanual Training for children with congenital hemiplegia

Boyd, R. N., Abbott, D. F., Badawi, R., Sakzewski, L., Macdonell, R. A. and Jackson G. D. (2010). Use-dependent neuoroplasticity in an RCT of Constraint Induced Movement Therapy versus Bimanual Training for children with congenital hemiplegia. AACPDM 64th Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, U.S.A., 22-25 September 2010. London, U.K.: Wiley Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2010.03752.x

Use-dependent neuoroplasticity in an RCT of Constraint Induced Movement Therapy versus Bimanual Training for children with congenital hemiplegia

2010

Journal Article

Upper limb activity measures for 5-to 16-year-old children with congenital hemiplegia: A systematic review

Gilmore, Rose, Sakzewski, Leanne and Boyd, Roslyn (2010). Upper limb activity measures for 5-to 16-year-old children with congenital hemiplegia: A systematic review. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 52 (1), 14-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2009.03369.x

Upper limb activity measures for 5-to 16-year-old children with congenital hemiplegia: A systematic review

2010

Conference Publication

Retention of outcome at 6 and 12 months in a randomized trial of constraint induced movement therapy versus bimanual training for children with congenital hemiplegia

Sakzewski, L., Boyd, R. N., Gilmore, R., Provan, K. and Ziviani, J. (2010). Retention of outcome at 6 and 12 months in a randomized trial of constraint induced movement therapy versus bimanual training for children with congenital hemiplegia. European Academy of Childhood Disability, Brussels, Belgium, 26-29 May 2020. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley.

Retention of outcome at 6 and 12 months in a randomized trial of constraint induced movement therapy versus bimanual training for children with congenital hemiplegia

Funding

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2030
    Australasian Cerebral Palsy Health Network (Aus CPHealthNet)
    NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    CP-KASP (Cerebral Palsy Knowledge, Advocacy Skills, and Support Program): co-designed with families to optimise evidence-based support through the NDIS
    NHMRC MRFF PPHR - Consumer Led Research
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Running for Health: community-based adaptive exercise for cardiorespiratory health in young people with moderate to severe cerebral palsy
    NHMRC MRFF EMCR - Early to Mid-Career Researchers
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Mixed methods RCT of telehealth Program for the Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®)
    The National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    Australian Cerebral Palsy Musculoskeletal Health Network
    NHMRC MRFF EPCDR - Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions in Children and Adolescents
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    TRANSMIT: A multifaceted knowledge TRANslation Strategy iMprovIng funcTion in children and youth with cerebral palsy (NHMRC Partnership administered by The University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Clinical validation of Artificial Intelligence for providing a personalized motor clinical profile assessment and rehabilitation of upper limb in children with unilateral Cerebral Palsy
    NHMRC European Union Collaborative Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Cerebral Palsy SYNERGY Network to Protect, Repair and improve Outcomes
    NHMRC Synergy Grants
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    DRIVE CP: Directing Research In Very Early Cerebral Palsy (NHMRC CRE administered by University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2027
    ACTIVE STRIDES-CP: Randomised trial of Intensive Rehabilitation (Combined Intensive Gait and Cycling Training) for children with moderate to severe bilateral cerebral palsy
    NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grants
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    School Readiness child outcomes of early neuroprotection/ early neurorehabilitation for infants at high risk of Cerebral Palsy- in the first 2,000 days
    NHMRC MRFF PPHR - Maternal Health and First 2000 Days, Early Childhood, and Exercise and Nutrition
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2023
    Running for health: a pilot randomized controlled trial of RaceRunning training to improve cardiovascular health in children and youth with cerebral palsy
    Preclinical and Clinical Early Career Research
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Comparative effectiveness of functional therapies for infants and children with cerebral palsy
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Intensive rehabilitation to improve motor skills of children, aged 2 to 5 years, with bilateral cerebral palsy
    Ramaciotti Health Investment Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Novel rehabilitation to improve outcomes for children with cerebral palsy.
    NHMRC Career Development Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Novel rehabilitation to improve outcomes for children with cerebral palsy
    The Children's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Participation-focused therapy for children with physical disabilities: pearls and pitfalls
    The Children's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2023
    HABIT-ILE: A randomised trial of Hand Arm Bimanual Intensive Training Including Lower Extremity training for children with bilateral cerebral palsy
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    Participate-CP: Optimising participation in physically active leisure for children with cerebral palsy: A randomised controlled trial
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    The Friends Project: optimising social competency in youth with acquired brain injury and cerebral palsy
    Motor Accident Insurance Commission
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Improving translation of intensity and quality of upper limb rehabilitation provided by occupational therapists to children with unilateral cerebral palsy: A cluster randomised controlled trial
    NHMRC Early Career Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2021
    REACH: Randomised trial of EArly Rehabilitation in Congenital Hemiplegia
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014
    68th American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Annual Meeting (Ian Potter Foundation Travel Grant)
    Ian Potter Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Cluster randomised controlled trial to improve translation of intensive high quality upper limb rehabilitation for children with unilateral cerebral palsy
    Fellowship Fund Incorporated
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    NHMRC Translating Research into Practice (TRIP) Fellowship (Level 2)
    NHMRC Translating Research into Practice Fellowships
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Associate Professor Leanne Sakzewski is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Reclaiming Choice and Control: Empowering Parents Accessing Early Intervention to Advocate for Allied Health Services that Support Child and Family Well-Being

    Principal Advisor

  • 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, Mrs Gaela Kilgour

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

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communications@uq.edu.au