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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

239 works between 1996 and 2025

81 - 100 of 239 works

2020

Conference Publication

The Friends Project: A randomised controlled trial of a group social skills program, PEERS(R), in young people with acquired brain injuries and cerebral palsy

Gilmore, Rose, Boyd, Roslyn, Ziviani, Jenny, Chatfield, Mark and Sakzewski, Leanne (2020). The Friends Project: A randomised controlled trial of a group social skills program, PEERS(R), in young people with acquired brain injuries and cerebral palsy. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Online, 23-26 September 2020.

The Friends Project: A randomised controlled trial of a group social skills program, PEERS(R), in young people with acquired brain injuries and cerebral palsy

2020

Journal Article

Sedentary behavior in children with cerebral palsy between 1.5 and 12 years: a longitudinal study

Reedman, Sarah E., Johnson, Emily, Sakzewski, Leanne, Gomersall, Sjaan, Trost, Stewart and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2020). Sedentary behavior in children with cerebral palsy between 1.5 and 12 years: a longitudinal study. Pediatric Physical Therapy Journal, 32 (4) 99870, 367-373. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000740

Sedentary behavior in children with cerebral palsy between 1.5 and 12 years: a longitudinal study

2020

Journal Article

Self‐care performance in children with cerebral palsy: a longitudinal study

Burgess, Andrea, Boyd, Roslyn N, Chatfield, Mark D, Ziviani, Jenny and Sakzewski, Leanne (2020). Self‐care performance in children with cerebral palsy: a longitudinal study. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 62 (9) dmcn.14561, 1061-1067. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.14561

Self‐care performance in children with cerebral palsy: a longitudinal study

2020

Journal Article

What is the threshold dose of upper limb training for children with cerebral palsy to improve function? A systematic review

Jackman, Michelle, Lannin, Natasha, Galea, Claire, Sakzewski, Leanne, Miller, Laura and Novak, Iona (2020). What is the threshold dose of upper limb training for children with cerebral palsy to improve function? A systematic review. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 67 (3) 1440-1630.12666, 269-280. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12666

What is the threshold dose of upper limb training for children with cerebral palsy to improve function? A systematic review

2020

Journal Article

Blinding and bias in randomized controlled trials: when to measure the effectiveness of blinding

Copeland, Lisa, Edwards, Priya, Sakzewski, Leanne, Thorley, Megan, Kentish, Megan, Ware, Robert S and Boyd, Roslyn N (2020). Blinding and bias in randomized controlled trials: when to measure the effectiveness of blinding. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 62 (2) dmcn.14369, 260-260. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.14369

Blinding and bias in randomized controlled trials: when to measure the effectiveness of blinding

2020

Conference Publication

Bimanual performance of children with bilateral cerebral palsy aged 8 to 12 years

Burgess, A., Boyd, R. N., Ziviani, J., Chatfield, M. and Sakzewski, L. (2020). Bimanual performance of children with bilateral cerebral palsy aged 8 to 12 years. Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Perth, Australia, 11-14 March 2020. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.14470

Bimanual performance of children with bilateral cerebral palsy aged 8 to 12 years

2020

Conference Publication

Self-care in children with cerebral palsy aged 1.5 to 12 years, and its relationship to manual ability: a longitudinal study.

Burgess, A., Boyd, R. N., Ziviani, J., Chatfield, M. and Sakzewski, L. (2020). Self-care in children with cerebral palsy aged 1.5 to 12 years, and its relationship to manual ability: a longitudinal study.. Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Perth Australia, 11 - 14 March 2020. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.14494

Self-care in children with cerebral palsy aged 1.5 to 12 years, and its relationship to manual ability: a longitudinal study.

2020

Conference Publication

Intrinsic motivation for physical activity predicts change in response to participation-focused therapy in children with cerebral palsy.

Reedman, S., Ziviani, J., Boyd, R. N. and Sakzewski, L. (2020). Intrinsic motivation for physical activity predicts change in response to participation-focused therapy in children with cerebral palsy.. Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Perth, WA, Australia, 11 - 14 March 2020. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.14494

Intrinsic motivation for physical activity predicts change in response to participation-focused therapy in children with cerebral palsy.

2020

Conference Publication

What's in the black box of a participation focused intervention?

Reedman, S., Jayan, L., Ziviani, J., Boyd, R. and Sakzewski, L. (2020). What's in the black box of a participation focused intervention?. Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Perth, Australia, 11-14 March 2020. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.

What's in the black box of a participation focused intervention?

2020

Conference Publication

Mothers' perspectives on the influences shaping their early experiences with infants at risk of cerebral palsy in West Bengal, India

Branjerdporn, N., Crawford, E., Ziviani, J., Boyd, R., Sakzewski, L. and Benfer, K. (2020). Mothers' perspectives on the influences shaping their early experiences with infants at risk of cerebral palsy in West Bengal, India. Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Perth, Australia, 11-14 March 2020. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.

Mothers' perspectives on the influences shaping their early experiences with infants at risk of cerebral palsy in West Bengal, India

2020

Conference Publication

The friends project: optimising social competency in youth with acquired brain injuries and cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial.

Gilmore, R., Ziviani, J., Hilton, N., McIntyre, S., ,Smithers-Sheedy, H., Williams, T., Laugeson, E. and Sakzewski, L. (2020). The friends project: optimising social competency in youth with acquired brain injuries and cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial.. Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Perth, WA, Australia, 11 - 14 March 2020. Wiley. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.14494

The friends project: optimising social competency in youth with acquired brain injuries and cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial.

2020

Conference Publication

Dose of practice: how much do children with cerebral palsy need to improve upper limb function?

Jackman, M., Lannin, N., Galea, C., Sakzewski, L., Miller, L. and Novak, I. (2020). Dose of practice: how much do children with cerebral palsy need to improve upper limb function?. Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Perth, Australia, 11-14 March 2020. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.

Dose of practice: how much do children with cerebral palsy need to improve upper limb function?

2020

Conference Publication

Efficacy of parent-implemented early interventions in low-and-middle income counties for children with cerebral palsy to improve parent mental health: systematic review

Branjerdporn, N., Sakzewski, L., Benfer, K., Crawford, E., Ziviani, J. and Boyd, R. (2020). Efficacy of parent-implemented early interventions in low-and-middle income counties for children with cerebral palsy to improve parent mental health: systematic review. Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Perth, Australia, 11-14 March 2020. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.

Efficacy of parent-implemented early interventions in low-and-middle income counties for children with cerebral palsy to improve parent mental health: systematic review

2019

Journal Article

Defining functional therapy in research involving children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review

Geijen, Mellanie, Ketelaar, Marjolijn, Sakzewski, Leanne, Palisano, Robert and Rameckers, Eugene (2019). Defining functional therapy in research involving children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 40 (2), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/01942638.2019.1664703

Defining functional therapy in research involving children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review

2019

Journal Article

Protocol for a multisite randomised trial of Hand–Arm Bimanual Intensive Training Including Lower Extremity training for children with bilateral cerebral palsy: HABIT-ILE Australia

Sakzewski, Leanne, Bleyenheuft, Yannick, Boyd, Roslyn N., Novak, Iona, Elliott, Catherine, Reedman, Sarah, Morgan, Cathy, Pannek, Kerstin, Fripp, Jurgen, Golland, Prue, Rowell, David, Chatfield, Mark and Ware, Robert Stuart (2019). Protocol for a multisite randomised trial of Hand–Arm Bimanual Intensive Training Including Lower Extremity training for children with bilateral cerebral palsy: HABIT-ILE Australia. BMJ Open, 9 (9) e032194, e032194. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032194

Protocol for a multisite randomised trial of Hand–Arm Bimanual Intensive Training Including Lower Extremity training for children with bilateral cerebral palsy: HABIT-ILE Australia

2019

Journal Article

Multicentre, randomised waitlist control trial investigating a parent-assisted social skills group programme for adolescents with brain injuries: protocol for the friends project

Gilmore, Rose, Sakzewski, Leanne, Ziviani, Jenny, Mcintyre, Sarah, Smithers Sheedy, Hayley, Hilton, Nicola, Williams, Tracey, Quinn, Kirsten, Sarandrea, Anne Marie, Laugeson, Elizabeth and Chatfield, Mark (2019). Multicentre, randomised waitlist control trial investigating a parent-assisted social skills group programme for adolescents with brain injuries: protocol for the friends project. BMJ Open, 9 (8) e029587, e029587. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029587

Multicentre, randomised waitlist control trial investigating a parent-assisted social skills group programme for adolescents with brain injuries: protocol for the friends project

2019

Journal Article

A systematic review of upper limb activity measures for 5‐ to 18‐year‐old children with bilateral cerebral palsy

Burgess, Andrea, Boyd, Roslyn N., Ziviani, Jenny and Sakzewski, Leanne (2019). A systematic review of upper limb activity measures for 5‐ to 18‐year‐old children with bilateral cerebral palsy. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 66 (5) 1440-1630.12600, 552-567. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12600

A systematic review of upper limb activity measures for 5‐ to 18‐year‐old children with bilateral cerebral palsy

2019

Journal Article

Development of hand function during the first year of life in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

Sakzewski, Leanne, Sicola, Elisa, Verhage, Cornelia H, Sgandurra, Giuseppina and Eliasson, Ann-Christin (2019). Development of hand function during the first year of life in children with unilateral cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 61 (5), 563-569. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.14091

Development of hand function during the first year of life in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

2019

Journal Article

Efficacy of participation-focused therapy on performance of physical activity participation goals and habitual physical activity in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

Reedman, Sarah E., Boyd, Roslyn N., Trost, Stewart G., Elliott, Catherine and Sakzewski, Leanne (2019). Efficacy of participation-focused therapy on performance of physical activity participation goals and habitual physical activity in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 100 (4), 676-686. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2018.11.012

Efficacy of participation-focused therapy on performance of physical activity participation goals and habitual physical activity in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

2019

Journal Article

Neuromotor performance in infants before and after early open-heart surgery and risk factors for delayed development at 6 months of age - ERRATUM

Campbell, Miranda J., Ziviani, Jenny M., Stocker, Christian F., Khan, Asaduzzaman and Sakzewski, Leanne (2019). Neuromotor performance in infants before and after early open-heart surgery and risk factors for delayed development at 6 months of age - ERRATUM. Cardiology in the Young, 29 (2), 110. doi: 10.1017/S1047951118002408

Neuromotor performance in infants before and after early open-heart surgery and risk factors for delayed development at 6 months of age - ERRATUM

Funding

Current funding

  • 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 - 2026
    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 - 2025
    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

    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

For media enquiries about Associate Professor Leanne Sakzewski's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au