The CPRN investigators have been invited to submit a full Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) application for the Large Pragmatic Studies to Evaluate Patient-Centered Outcomes – Spring 2016 Cycle which closes on August 9, 2016. Richard Stevenson, M.D., of the University of Virginia, is the lead Principle Investigator in the study entitled “Comparative Effectiveness of Surgical and Non-Surgical Interventions for Ambulatory Children with Bilateral Spastic (Diplegic) Cerebral Palsy using Patient-Centered Outcomes.” The study funds requested are in excess of $7 million. This five-year study, if funded, will fill critical information gaps in the treatment of children with CP for clinicians and patient families. Children between the ages of 2 and 12 with ambulatory CP that are considered candidates for surgical interventions will be enrolled at the 18 sites within the network. Site selection will be completed before the end of June 2016. The study is expected to enroll 1,500 patients in the first two years of accrual.

This study is a revision of a study that was submitted last year. The PCORI review committee encouraged the investigators to narrow the scope of the study regarding inclusion criteria to limit the heterogeneity of the population being study and increase feasibility of enrolling the target number of patients. We are pleased to have the opportunity to submit this revised study and are optimistic about it being funded.